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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
08:32
Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
Published on: March 2, 2014
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Tat is a multifunctional viral protein that modulates cellular gene expression and functions
Evan Clark1, Brenda Nava1, Massimo Caputi1
1Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
Oncotarget
|February 11, 2017
Summary
The human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) Tat protein is crucial for viral replication. Tat modulates hundreds of host genes and molecular networks to create a favorable environment for HIV-1 spread.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) employs sophisticated strategies to manipulate host cells for replication and spread.
- Viral proteins are multifunctional, essential for genome replication and modulating cellular responses to infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multifaceted roles of the HIV-1 Tat protein.
- To understand how Tat conditions the host environment to promote viral replication and spread.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical approaches
- Cellular assays
- Genomic studies
Main Results:
- The HIV-1 Tat protein regulates HIV genome transcription.
- Tat modulates cellular gene expression, impacting hundreds of genes and multiple molecular networks.
- Tat alters the immune response and facilitates viral dissemination to various tissues.
Conclusions:
- The HIV-1 Tat protein is a key viral factor that extensively reprograms host cell machinery.
- Tat's ability to modulate host gene expression and immune responses is critical for efficient viral replication and pathogenesis.
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