HIV-1 Nef protein exhibits structural and functional similarity to scorpion peptides interacting with K+ channels.
AIDS
; 5(11): 1301-8, 1991 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-1768378
ABSTRACT
The persistent infection of human glial cells with HIV-1 is characterized by prominent expression of the Nef protein. In order to evaluate the possible role of Nef in the development of HIV-1-associated neurological disorders, we compared Nef with known neuroactive proteins. We found that HIV Nef shares sequence and structural features with scorpion peptides known to interact with K+ channels. Sequence similarity encompasses two distinct regions of scorpion peptides. Based on crystallography data, both regions in scorpion peptides cooperate in forming a common domain stabilized by ion pairs between charged amino-acid residues. Recombinant Nef protein, as well as a synthetic part of a scorpion channel active peptide (M10), reversibly increased the total K+ current of chick dorsal root ganglions in patch-clamp experiments without killing the cells. These results indicate that a region conserved in HIV Nef and scorpion peptides concurs in both structure and electrophysiological activity and suggest that Nef, like scorpion peptides, may affect neuronal cell function.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Venenos de Escorpião
/
Neuropeptídeos
/
Produtos do Gene nef
/
HIV-1
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
AIDS
Assunto da revista:
SINDROME DA IMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (AIDS)
Ano de publicação:
1991
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha