APOBEC3B Potently Restricts HIV-2 but Not HIV-1 in a Vif-Dependent Manner.

Vif is a lentiviral accessory protein that counteracts the antiviral activity of cellular APOBEC3 (A3) cytidine deaminases in infected cells. The exact contribution of each member of the A3 family for the restriction of HIV-2 is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this work was to identify the A3s with anti-HIV-2 activity and compare their restriction potential for HIV-2 and HIV-1. We found that A3G is a strong restriction factor of both types of viruses and A3C restricts neither HIV-1 nor HIV-2. Importantly, A3B exhibited potent antiviral activity against HIV-2, but its effect was negligible against HIV-1. Whereas A3B is packaged with similar efficiency into both viruses in the absence of Vif, HIV-2 and HIV-1 differ in their sensitivity to A3B. HIV-2 Vif targets A3B by reducing its cellular levels and inhibiting its packaging into virions, whereas HIV-1 Vif did not evolve to antagonize A3B. Our observations support the hypothesis that during wild-type HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections, both viruses are able to replicate in host cells expressing A3B but using different mechanisms, probably resulting from a Vif functional adaptation over evolutionary time. Our findings provide new insights into the differences between Vif protein and their cellular partners in the two human viruses. Of note, A3B is highly expressed in some cancer cells and may cause deamination-induced mutations in these cancers. Thus, A3B may represent an important therapeutic target. As such, the ability of HIV-2 Vif to induce A3B degradation could be an effective tool for cancer therapy. IMPORTANCE Primate lentiviruses encode a series of accessory genes that facilitate virus adaptation to its host. Among those, the vif-encoded protein functions primarily by targeting the APOBEC3 (A3) family of cytidine deaminases. All lentiviral Vif proteins have the ability to antagonize A3G; however, antagonizing other members of the A3 family is variable. Here, we report that HIV-2 Vif, unlike HIV-1 Vif, can induce degradation of A3B. Consequently, HIV-2 Vif but not HIV-1 Vif can inhibit the packaging of A3B. Interestingly, while A3B is packaged efficiently into the core of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 virions in the absence of Vif, it only affects the infectivity of HIV-2 particles. Thus, HIV-1 and HIV-2 have evolved two distinct mechanisms to antagonize the antiviral activity of A3B. Aside from its antiviral activity, A3B has been associated with mutations in some cancers. Degradation of A3B by HIV-2 Vif may be useful for cancer therapies.

Comprehensive Investigation on the Interplay between Feline APOBEC3Z3 Proteins and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vif Proteins.

As the hosts of lentiviruses, almost 40 species of felids (family Felidae) are distributed around the world, and more than 20 feline species test positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lineage of lentiviruses. These observations suggest that FIVs globally infected a variety of feline species through multiple cross-species transmission events during a million-year history. Cellular restriction factors potentially inhibit lentiviral replication and limit cross-species lentiviral transmission, and cellular APOBEC3 deaminases are known as a potent restriction factor. In contrast, lentiviruses have evolutionary-acquired viral infectivity factor (Vif) to neutralize the APOBEC3-mediated antiviral effect. Because the APOBEC3-Vif interaction is strictly specific for viruses and their hosts, a comprehensive investigation focusing on Vif-APOBEC3 interplay can provide clues that will elucidate the roles of this virus-host interplay on cross-species transmission of lentiviruses. Here, we performed a comprehensive investigation with 144 patterns of a round robin test using 18 feline APOBEC3Z3 genes, an antiviral APOBEC3 gene in felid, and 8 FIV Vifs and derived a matrix showing the interplay between feline APOBEC3Z3 and FIV Vif. We particularly focused on the interplay between the APOBEC3Z3 of three felids (domestic cat, ocelot, and Asian golden cat) and an FIV Vif (strain Petaluma), and revealed that residues 65 and 66 of the APOBEC3Z3 protein of multiple felids are responsible for the counteraction triggered by FIV Petaluma Vif. Altogether, our findings can be a clue to elucidate not only the scenarios of the cross-species transmissions of FIVs in felids but also the evolutionary interaction between mammals and lentiviruses. IMPORTANCE Most of the emergences of new virus infections originate from the cross-species transmission of viruses. The fact that some virus infections are strictly specific for the host species indicates that certain "species barriers" in the hosts restrict cross-species jump of viruses, while viruses have evolutionary acquired their own "arms" to overcome/antagonize/neutralize these hurdles. Therefore, understanding of the molecular mechanism leading to successful cross-species viral transmission is crucial for considering the menus of the emergence of novel pathogenic viruses. In the field of retrovirology, APOBEC3-Vif interaction is a well-studied example of the battles between hosts and viruses. Here, we determined the sequences of 11 novel feline APOBEC3Z3 genes and demonstrated that all 18 different feline APOBEC3Z3 proteins tested exhibit anti-feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) activity. Our comprehensive investigation focusing on the interplay between feline APOBEC3 and FIV Vif can be a clue to elucidate the scenarios of the cross-species transmissions of FIVs in felids.

HIV-2 Vif and foamy virus Bet antagonize APOBEC3B by different mechanisms.

The family of human APOBEC3 (A3) restriction factors is formed by seven different proteins, A3A-D and A3F-H. Among these A3s, A3B harbors strong restriction activity against several retroviruses, such as SIV, and MLV. How lentiviruses and other retroviruses, prevalent in many primate species, counteract A3B is poorly understood. In this study, we found that A3B strongly inhibited SIVmac and HIV-2 infectivity, which was antagonized by their Vif proteins. Both SIVmac and HIV-2 Vifs diminished the protein level of A3B in viral producer cells, and hindered A3B incorporation into viral particles. We observed that HIV-2 Vif binds A3B and induces its degradation by assembly of an A3-Vif-CUL5-ElonginB/C E3-ligase complex. A3B and HIV-2 Vif localize and interact in the nucleus. In addition, we also found that the accessory protein Bet of prototype foamy virus (PFV) significantly antagonized the anti-SIVmac activity of A3B. Like Vif, Bet prevented the incorporation of A3B into viral particles. However, in contrast to Vif Bet did not induce the degradation of A3B. Rather, Bet binds A3B to block formation of high molecular weight A3B complexes and induces A3B cytoplasmic trapping. In summary, these findings indicate that A3B is recognized by diverse retroviruses and counteracted by virus-specific pathways that could be targeted to inhibit A3B mutating activity in cancers.

Feline APOBEC3s, Barriers to Cross-Species Transmission of FIV?

The replication of lentiviruses highly depends on host cellular factors, which defines their species-specific tropism. Cellular restriction factors that can inhibit lentiviral replication were recently identified. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was found to be sensitive to several feline cellular restriction factors, such as apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) and tetherin, but FIV evolved to counteract them. Here, we describe the molecular mechanisms by which feline APOBEC3 restriction factors inhibit FIV replication and discuss the molecular interaction of APOBEC3 proteins with the viral antagonizing protein Vif. We speculate that feline APOBEC3 proteins could explain some of the observed FIV cross-species transmissions described in wild Felids.

Clues for two-step virion infectivity factor regulation by core binding factor beta.

Lentiviruses threaten human and animal health. Virion infectivity factor (Vif) is essential for the infectivity of most lentiviruses, except for the equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV). Vif promotes viral infectivity by recruiting a Cullin-based E3 ligase to induce the degradation of a class of host restriction factors, named APOBEC3. Core binding factor beta (CBF-ß) is necessary for several primate lentiviral Vif functions, including HIV-1 Vif. Although much progress has been made in understanding the contribution of CBF-ß to Vif function, the precise mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that an interaction with CBF-ß altered the oligomerization and subcellular distribution pattern and increased the stability of two primate lentiviral Vifs, HIV-1 Vif and Macaca simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) Vif. Moreover, using a CBF-ß loss-of-function mutant, we demonstrated that the interaction between CBF-ß and Vif was not sufficient for Vif assistance; a region including F68 in CBF-ß was also required for the stability and function of Vif. For the first time, this study separates the binding and regulating processes of CBF-ß when it is promoting Vif function, which further extends our understanding of the biochemical regulation of Vif by CBF-ß.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Evolutionarily Acquires Two Proteins, Vif and Protease, Capable of Antagonizing Feline APOBEC3.

The interplay between viral and host proteins has been well studied to elucidate virus-host interactions and their relevance to virulence. Mammalian genes encode apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) proteins, which act as intrinsic restriction factors against lentiviruses. To overcome APOBEC3-mediated antiviral actions, lentiviruses have evolutionarily acquired an accessory protein, viral infectivity factor (Vif), and Vif degrades host APOBEC3 proteins via a ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent pathway. Although the Vif-APOBEC3 interaction and its evolutionary significance, particularly those of primate lentiviruses (including HIV) and primates (including humans), have been well investigated, those of nonprimate lentiviruses and nonprimates are poorly understood. Moreover, the factors that determine lentiviral pathogenicity remain unclear. Here, we focus on feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a pathogenic lentivirus in domestic cats, and the interaction between FIV Vif and feline APOBEC3 in terms of viral virulence and evolution. We reveal the significantly reduced diversity of FIV subtype B compared to that of other subtypes, which may associate with the low pathogenicity of this subtype. We also demonstrate that FIV subtype B Vif is less active with regard to feline APOBEC3 degradation. More intriguingly, we further reveal that FIV protease cleaves feline APOBEC3 in released virions. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that a lentivirus encodes two types of anti-APOBEC3 factors, Vif and viral protease.IMPORTANCE During the history of mammalian evolution, mammals coevolved with retroviruses, including lentiviruses. All pathogenic lentiviruses, excluding equine infectious anemia virus, have acquired the vif gene via evolution to combat APOBEC3 proteins, which are intrinsic restriction factors against exogenous lentiviruses. Here we demonstrate that FIV, a pathogenic lentivirus in domestic cats, antagonizes feline APOBEC3 proteins by both Vif and a viral protease. Furthermore, the Vif proteins of an FIV subtype (subtype B) have attenuated their anti-APOBEC3 activity through evolution. Our findings can be a clue to elucidate the complicated evolutionary processes by which lentiviruses adapt to mammals.

Small ruminant lentiviral Vif proteins commonly utilize cyclophilin A, an evolutionarily and structurally conserved protein, to degrade ovine and caprine APOBEC3 proteins.

Mammals have co-evolved with retroviruses, including lentiviruses, over a long period. Evidence supporting this contention is that viral infectivity factor (Vif) encoded by lentiviruses antagonizes the anti-viral action of cellular apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) of the host. To orchestrate E3 ubiquitin ligase complex for APOBEC3 degradation, Vifs utilize mammalian proteins such as core-binding factor beta (CBFB; for primate lentiviruses) or cyclophilin A (CYPA; for Maedi-Visna virus [MVV]). However, the co-evolutionary relationship between lentiviral Vif and the mammalian proteins associated with Vif-mediated APOBEC3 degradation is poorly understood. Moreover, it is unclear whether Vif proteins of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), including MVV and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), commonly utilize CYPA to degrade the APOBEC3 of their hosts. In this study, molecular phylogenetic and protein homology modeling revealed that Vif co-factors are evolutionarily and structurally conserved. It was also found that not only MVV but also CAEV Vifs degrade APOBEC3 of both sheep and goats and that CAEV Vifs interact with CYPA. These findings suggest that lentiviral Vifs chose evolutionarily and structurally stable proteins as their partners (e.g., CBFB or CYPA) for APOBEC3 degradation and, particularly, that SRLV Vifs evolved to utilize CYPA as their co-factor in degradation of ovine and caprine APOBEC3.

Species-specific differences in the ability of feline lentiviral Vif to degrade feline APOBEC3 proteins.

How host-virus co-evolutionary relationships manifest is one of the most intriguing issues in virology. To address this topic, the mammal-lentivirus relationship can be considered as an interplay of cellular and viral proteins, particularly apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) and viral infectivity factor (Vif). APOBEC3s enzymatically restrict lentivirus replication, whereas Vif antagonizes the host anti-viral action mediated by APOBEC3. In this study, the focus was on the interplay between feline APOBEC3 proteins and two feline immunodeficiency viruses in cats and pumas. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of non-primate lentiviral Vif being incapable of counteracting a natural host's anti-viral activity mediated via APOBEC3 protein.

Degradation of the cancer genomic DNA deaminase APOBEC3B by SIV Vif.

APOBEC3B is a newly identified source of mutation in many cancers, including breast, head/neck, lung, bladder, cervical, and ovarian. APOBEC3B is a member of the APOBEC3 family of enzymes that deaminate DNA cytosine to produce the pro-mutagenic lesion, uracil. Several APOBEC3 family members function to restrict virus replication. For instance, APOBEC3D, APOBEC3F, APOBEC3G, and APOBEC3H combine to restrict HIV-1 in human lymphocytes. HIV-1 counteracts these APOBEC3s with the viral protein Vif, which targets the relevant APOBEC3s for proteasomal degradation. While APOBEC3B does not restrict HIV-1 and is not targeted by HIV-1 Vif in CD4-positive T cells, we asked whether related lentiviral Vif proteins could degrade APOBEC3B. Interestingly, several SIV Vif proteins are capable of promoting APOBEC3B degradation, with SIVmac239 Vif proving the most potent. This likely occurs through the canonical polyubiquitination mechanism as APOBEC3B protein levels are restored by MG132 treatment and by altering a conserved E3 ligase-binding motif. We further show that SIVmac239 Vif can prevent APOBEC3B mediated geno/cytotoxicity and degrade endogenous APOBEC3B in several cancer cell lines. Our data indicate that the APOBEC3B degradation potential of SIV Vif is an effective tool for neutralizing the cancer genomic DNA deaminase APOBEC3B. Further optimization of this natural APOBEC3 antagonist may benefit cancer therapy.

Development of benzimidazole derivatives to inhibit HIV-1 replication through protecting APOBEC3G protein.

Human APOBEC3G (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G, A3G) is a potent restriction factor against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by inducing hypermutation of G to A in viral genome after its incorporation into virions. HIV-1 Vif (Virion Infectivity Factor) counteracts A3G by inducing ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of A3G protein. Vif-A3G axis therefore is a promising therapeutic target of HIV-1. Here we report the screening, synthesis and SAR studies of benzimidazole derivatives as potent inhibitors against HIV-1 replication via protecting A3G protein. Based on the steep SAR of the benzimidazole scaffold, we identified compound 14 and 26 which provided the best potency, with IC50 values of 3.45 nM and 58.03 nM respectively in the anti-HIV-1 replication assay in H9 cells. Compound 14 and 26 also afforded protective effects on A3G protein level. Both compounds have been proved to be safe in acute toxicological studies. Taken together, we suggest that these two benzimidazole derivatives can be further developed as a new category of anti-HIV-1 leads.

Evolutionarily conserved requirement for core binding factor beta in the assembly of the human immunodeficiency virus/simian immunodeficiency virus Vif-cullin 5-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase.

UNLABELLED: The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-encoded virion infectivity factor (Vif) is required to inactivate the host restriction factor APOBEC3 by engaging Cullin 5 (Cul5)-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL5). Core binding factor beta (CBF-ß) is a novel regulator of Vif-CRL5 function; as yet, its mechanism of regulation remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate that CBF-ß promotion of Vif-CRL5 assembly is independent of its influence on Vif stability and is also a conserved feature of primate lentiviral Vif proteins. Furthermore, CBF-ß is critical for the formation of the Vif-ElonginB/ElonginC-Cul5 core E3 ubiquitin ligase complex in vitro. CBF-ß from diverse vertebrate species supported HIV-1 Vif function, indicating the conserved nature of Vif-CBF-ß interfaces. Considering the importance of the interaction between Vif and CBF-ß in viral CRL5 function, disrupting this interaction represents an attractive pharmacological intervention against HIV-1. IMPORTANCE: HIV-1 encodes virion infectivity factor (Vif) to inactivate its host's antiviral APOBEC3 proteins. Vif triggers APOBEC3 degradation by forming Vif-Cullin 5 (Cul5)-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL5). Core binding factor beta (CBF-ß) is a novel regulator of Vif-CRL5 function whose mechanism of regulation remains poorly defined. In the present study, we demonstrate that the promotion of Vif-CRL5 assembly by CBF-ß can be separated from its influence on Vif stability. The promotion of Vif-CRL5 assembly, but not the influence on Vif stability, is conserved among primate lentiviral Vif proteins: we found that CBF-ß from diverse vertebrate species supported HIV-1 Vif function. Considering the importance of the interaction between Vif and CBF-ß in viral CRL5 function and HIV-1 replication, disrupting this interaction is an attractive strategy against HIV-1.

Analysis of the N-terminal positively charged residues of the simian immunodeficiency virus Vif reveals a critical amino acid required for the antagonism of rhesus APOBEC3D, G, and H.

Previous studies have shown that apolipoprotein B mRNA editing, enzyme catalytic, polypeptide G (APOBEC3G; hA3G) and F (APOBEC3F; hA3F) proteins interact with a nonlinear binding site located at the N-terminal region of the HIV-1 Vif protein. We have analyzed the role of 12 positively charged amino acids of the N-terminal region of the SIV Vif. Simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV) were constructed that expressed each of these amino acid substitutions. These viruses were examined for replication in the presence of rhesus macaque APOBEC3 proteins (rhA3A-rhA3H), incorporation of the different A3 proteins into virions, and replication in rhesus macaque PBMC. Similar to other studies, we found that K27 was essential for rhA3G activity and rhA3F but was not important for restriction of SHIVΔvif by rhA3A, rhA3D or rhA3H. Our results identified the arginine at position 14 of the SIV Vif as a critical residue for virus restriction by rhA3D, rhA3G and rhA3H.

Accessory genes confer a high replication rate to virulent feline immunodeficiency virus.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that causes AIDS in domestic cats, similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS in humans. The FIV accessory protein Vif abrogates the inhibition of infection by cat APOBEC3 restriction factors. FIV also encodes a multifunctional OrfA accessory protein that has characteristics similar to HIV Tat, Vpu, Vpr, and Nef. To examine the role of vif and orfA accessory genes in FIV replication and pathogenicity, we generated chimeras between two FIV molecular clones with divergent disease potentials: a highly pathogenic isolate that replicates rapidly in vitro and is associated with significant immunopathology in vivo, FIV-C36 (referred to here as high-virulence FIV [HV-FIV]), and a less-pathogenic strain, FIV-PPR (referred to here as low-virulence FIV [LV-FIV]). Using PCR-driven overlap extension, we produced viruses in which vif, orfA, or both genes from virulent HV-FIV replaced equivalent genes in LV-FIV. The generation of these chimeras is more straightforward in FIV than in primate lentiviruses, since FIV accessory gene open reading frames have very little overlap with other genes. All three chimeric viruses exhibited increased replication kinetics in vitro compared to the replication kinetics of LV-FIV. Chimeras containing HV-Vif or Vif/OrfA had replication rates equivalent to those of the virulent HV-FIV parental virus. Furthermore, small interfering RNA knockdown of feline APOBEC3 genes resulted in equalization of replication rates between LV-FIV and LV-FIV encoding HV-FIV Vif. These findings demonstrate that Vif-APOBEC interactions play a key role in controlling the replication and pathogenicity of this immunodeficiency-inducing virus in its native host species and that accessory genes act as mediators of lentiviral strain-specific virulence.

Elucidation of the time course of adenosine deaminase APOBEC3G and viral infectivity factor vif in HIV-2(287) -infected infant macaques.

BACKGROUND: Although the interactions of cellular cytidine deaminase A3G and viral infection factor (vif) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported, regulation of A3G after in vivo HIV infection and disease progression is not known. METHODS: Time courses of plasma virus, CD4(+) T lymphocyte Macaca levels, and concentrations of A3G and vif transcripts were determined in infant macaques infected with HIV-2(287) . These in vivo results were compared with those collected in vitro in HIV-2-infected T cells. RESULTS: Human immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques exhibited plasma viremia (≥10(8) copies/ml) followed by a precipitous CD4(+) T-cell (from 40-70 to ≤5%) decline. An initial increase in A3G transcripts coincides with early increases in virus and vif RNA. As virus load continues to increase, A3G RNA decreases but recovers at a later phase as virus level stabilizes. Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong interactions of A3G-CD4, vif-CD4, and A3G-vif. CONCLUSIONS: There is a time-dependent A3G and vif RNA interaction throughout the course of HIV infection.

Vif proteins of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses require cellular CBFß to degrade APOBEC3 restriction factors.

HIV-1 requires the cellular transcription factor CBFß to stabilize its accessory protein Vif and promote APOBEC3G degradation. Here, we demonstrate that both isoforms of CBFß allow for increased steady-state levels of Vif, enhanced APOBEC3G degradation, and increased viral infectivity. This conserved functional interaction enhances the steady-state levels of Vif proteins from multiple HIV-1 subtypes and is required for the degradation of all human and rhesus Vif-sensitive APOBEC3 proteins by their respective lentiviral Vif proteins.

Vif hijacks CBF-ß to degrade APOBEC3G and promote HIV-1 infection.

Restriction factors, such as the retroviral complementary DNA deaminase APOBEC3G, are cellular proteins that dominantly block virus replication. The AIDS virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), produces the accessory factor Vif, which counteracts the host's antiviral defence by hijacking a ubiquitin ligase complex, containing CUL5, ELOC, ELOB and a RING-box protein, and targeting APOBEC3G for degradation. Here we reveal, using an affinity tag/purification mass spectrometry approach, that Vif additionally recruits the transcription cofactor CBF-ß to this ubiquitin ligase complex. CBF-ß, which normally functions in concert with RUNX DNA binding proteins, allows the reconstitution of a recombinant six-protein assembly that elicits specific polyubiquitination activity with APOBEC3G, but not the related deaminase APOBEC3A. Using RNA knockdown and genetic complementation studies, we also demonstrate that CBF-ß is required for Vif-mediated degradation of APOBEC3G and therefore for preserving HIV-1 infectivity. Finally, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Vif also binds to and requires CBF-ß to degrade rhesus macaque APOBEC3G, indicating functional conservation. Methods of disrupting the CBF-ß-Vif interaction might enable HIV-1 restriction and provide a supplement to current antiviral therapies that primarily target viral proteins.

Identification of a Cullin5-ElonginB-ElonginC E3 complex in degradation of feline immunodeficiency virus Vif-mediated feline APOBEC3 proteins.

Various feline APOBEC3 (fA3) proteins exhibit broad antiviral activities against a wide range of viruses, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline foamy virus (FFV), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), as well as those of other species. This activity can be counteracted by the FIV Vif protein, but the mechanism by which FIV Vif suppresses fA3s is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that FIV Vif could act via a proteasome-dependent pathway to overcome fA3s. FIV Vif interacted with feline cellular proteins Cullin5 (Cul5), ElonginB, and ElonginC to form an E3 complex to induce degradation of fA3s. Both the dominant-negative Cul5 mutant and a C-terminal hydrophilic replacement ElonginC mutant potently disrupted the FIV Vif activity against fA3s. Furthermore, we identified a BC-box motif in FIV Vif that was essential for the recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase and also required for FIV Vif-mediated degradation of fA3s. Moreover, despite the lack of either a Cul5-box or a HCCH zinc-binding motif, FIV Vif specifically selected Cul5. Therefore, FIV Vif may interact with Cul5 via a novel mechanism. These finding imply that SOCS proteins may possess distinct mechanisms to bind Cul5 during formation of the Elongin-Cullin-SOCS box complex.

Molecular structure and biochemical properties of the HCCH-Zn2+ site in HIV-1 Vif.

Virion infectivity factor (Vif) is an HIV accessory protein that is essential for the infection of CD4(+) T cells. Vif recruits a Cullin 5 (Cul5)-based ubiquitin ligase that targets a host cytidine deaminase, apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G), for proteasomal degradation. The Vif N-terminus binds APOBEC3G, and the C-terminus interacts with the Cul5-based ubiquitin ligase machinery. Within the C-terminus, a highly conserved H(108)-X(5)-C(114)-X(17-18)-C(133)-X(3-5)-H(139) (HCCH) motif binds zinc and is implicated in the Vif-Cul5 interaction. We have employed the biomimetic peptide HCCHp (HIV-1 Vif amino acids 101-142) in order to determine the zinc ligands and investigate the role of zinc binding in Cul5 recognition. Using CD spectroscopy, a competitive zinc binding assay, and a light scattering assay, we found that mutation of the conserved His and Cys residues in HCCHp had little effect on secondary structure but reduced zinc binding affinity and altered the aggregation properties of the peptides. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to study zinc coordination in wild-type HCCHp. The data are consistent with S(2)N(imid)(2) coordination and strongly suggest that His-108, Cys-114, Cys-133, and His-139 are zinc ligands. Mutation of one or both conserved Cys residues in HCCHp led to a decrease in Cys ligation, and an increase in the number of (N, O) ligands, with noninteger coordination numbers suggesting zinc site heterogeneity. A purified fragment of human Cul5 was found to inhibit zinc-induced aggregation of HCCHp, and pull-down experiments revealed that zinc binding to HCCHp increases the strength of the HCCHp-Cul5 interaction by 8-fold.

Phosphorylation of APOBEC3G by protein kinase A regulates its interaction with HIV-1 Vif.

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G, referred to here as A3G) is a potent antiretroviral host factor against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) counteracts A3G by promoting its degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Recent studies demonstrated that protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates activation-induced deaminase (AID), another member of the APOBEC3 family. A3G has two putative PKA phosphorylation residues. Here we show that PKA binds and specifically phosphorylates A3G at Thr32 in vitro and in vivo. This phosphorylation event reduces the binding of A3G to Vif and its subsequent ubiquitination and degradation, and thus promotes A3G antiviral activity. Computer-assisted structural modeling and mutagenesis studies suggest that the interaction between A3G Thr32 and Arg24 is crucial for interaction with Vif. These data imply that PKA-mediated phosphorylation of A3G can regulate the interaction between A3G and Vif.

Structural insight into the human immunodeficiency virus Vif SOCS box and its role in human E3 ubiquitin ligase assembly.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virion infectivity factor (Vif) causes the proteasome-mediated destruction of human antiviral protein APOBEC3G by tethering it to a cellular E3 ubiquitin ligase composed of ElonginB, ElonginC, Cullin5, and Rbx2. It has been proposed that HIV Vif hijacks the E3 ligase through two regions within its C-terminal domain: a BC box region that interacts with ElonginC and a novel zinc finger motif that interacts with Cullin5. We have determined the crystal structure of the HIV Vif BC box in complex with human ElonginB and ElonginC. This complex presents direct structural evidence of the recruitment of a human ubiquitin ligase by a viral BC box protein that mimics the conserved interactions of cellular ubiquitin ligases. We further mutated conserved hydrophobic residues in a region downstream of the Vif BC box. These mutations demonstrate that this region, the Vif Cullin box, composes a third E3-ligase recruiting site critical for interaction between Vif and Cullin5. Furthermore, our homology modeling reveals that the Vif Cullin box and zinc finger motif may be positioned adjacent to the N terminus of Cullin5 for interaction with loop regions in the first cullin repeat of Cullin5.