HIV F/3' orf encodes a phosphorylated GTP-binding protein resembling an oncogene product |
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Authors: | B Guy M P Kieny Y Riviere C Le Peuch K Dott M Girard L Montagnier J P Lecocq |
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Affiliation: | Transgène S.A., Strasbourg, France. |
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Abstract: | Apart from the retroviral gag, pol and env the HIV genome contains the F (3' orf) gene which encodes a polypeptide of 206 amino acids which is myristylated at the N-terminal and whose function is unknown. We have expressed the F gene in Escherichia coli and from a recombinant vaccinia virus, VVTGfHIV. The F-protein produced in VVTGfHIV-infected mammalian cells is myristilated, and is phosphorylated by protein kinase C at a residue close to the N-terminus like pp60-src (ref. 5). Purified bacterial F-protein also shows the GTPase, autophosphorylation and GTP-binding activities reported for the ras gene product. Furthermore, we show that expression of F in a CD4+ cell line down-regulates the CD4(T4) antigen. These results suggest that F is important in the pathophysiology of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). |
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