1m8l | pdb_00001m8l
NMR structure of the HIV-1 Regulatory Protein Vpr
Structural highlights
FunctionVPR_HV1B9 Involved in the transport of the viral pre-integration (PIC) complex to the nucleus during the early stages of the infection. This function is crucial for viral infection of non-dividing macrophages. May interact with karyopherin alpha/KPNA1 and KPNA2 to increase their affinity for proteins containing basic-type nuclear localization signal, including the viral matrix protein MA, thus facilitating the translocation of the viral genome into the nucleus. May also act directly at the nuclear pore complex, by binding nucleoporins phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-repeat regions (By similarity). May target specific host proteins for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Acts by associating with the cellular CUL4A-DDB1 E3 ligase complex through direct interaction with host VPRPB/DCAF-1. This change in the E3 ligase substrate specificity would result in cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in infected cells. Prevents infected cells from undergoing mitosis and proliferating, by inducing arrest or delay in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. This arrest creates a favorable environment for maximizing viral expression and production by rendering the HIV-1 LTR transcriptionally more active. In this context, Vpr stimulates gene expression driven by the HIV-1 LTR by interacting with human SP1, TFIIB and TFIID. Cell cycle arrest reportedly occurs within hours of infection and is not blocked by antiviral agents, suggesting that it is initiated by the Vpr carried into the virion. Additionally, Vpr induces apoptosis in a cell cycle dependent manner suggesting that these two effects are mechanistically linked. Interacts with mitochondrial permeability transition pore complex (PTPC). This interaction induces a rapid dissipation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and mitochondrial release of apoptogenic proteins such as cytochrome C or apoptosis inducing factors. Detected in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of AIDS patient, Vpr may also induce cell death to bystander cells (By similarity). Evolutionary Conservation Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf. Publication Abstract from PubMedThe human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome encodes a highly conserved regulatory gene product, Vpr (96 residues, 14kDa), which is incorporated into virions. In the infected cells, Vpr, expressed late in the virus cycle, is believed to function in the early phases of HIV-1 replication, such as nuclear migration of pre-integration complex, transcription of the proviral genome, viral multiplication by blocking cells in G2 phase and regulation of apoptosis phenomenon. Vpr has a critical role in long term AIDS disease by inducing infection in non-dividing cells such as monocytes and macrophages. To gain insight into the structure-function relationships of Vpr, the (1-96)Vpr protein was synthesized with 22 labeled amino acids. Its 3D structure was analyzed in the presence of CD(3)CN and in pure water at low pH and refined by restrained simulated annealing. The structure of the protein is characterized by three well-defined alpha-helices: 17-33, 38-50 and 56-77 surrounded by flexible N and C-terminal domains. In contrast to the structure obtained in the presence of TFE, the three alpha-helices are folded around a hydrophobic core constituted of Leu, Ile, Val and aromatic residues as illustrated by numerous long range NOEs. This structure accounts for the interaction of Vpr with different targets. NMR structure of the HIV-1 regulatory protein VPR.,Morellet N, Bouaziz S, Petitjean P, Roques BP J Mol Biol. 2003 Mar 14;327(1):215-27. PMID:12614620[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences | ||||||||||||||||||
