Like other retroviruses, the integrated proviral form of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) produces a multicistronic precursor transcript that can be spliced in various ways to express individual viral genes. The rev gene product of HIV is a regulatory protein that controls expression of the different viral mRNA species. Acting through a poorly-understood post-transcriptional mechanism, rev is required for the expression of virion structural proteins; this, mutant HIV provirus that lack a functional rev gene fail to produce infectious viral particles. Pharmacologic or genetic interventions aimed at inhibiting rev function might therefore provide a means to maintain viral latency, block HIV replication, and slow the progression of disease in infected persons. Using techniques of molecular genetics, we will investigate the functional architecture and mechanism of action of the rev protein and of a rev-responsive element (RRE) in the viral genome, searching for potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The effects of systematic mutations in rev and in the RRE will be evaluated in a transient-transfection assay. Modified forms of rev whose activity can be precisely controlled will be used to dissect the sequence of events in the response to this protein. We will test the ability of oligonucleotide sequences derived from the RRE, or of mutants forms of the rev protein itself, to block the activity of wild-type rev. Using stably-transfected reporter cell lines, we will develop a rapid assay system that could be used to screen potential pharmacologic inhibitors of this critical viral function. The information to be gained will be of value in designing antiviral gene therapy or specific chemotherapeutic agents, and will also provide insight into the enigmatic post-transcriptional mechanisms that control cellular, as well as viral, gene expression.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI029313-02
Application #
3144055
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ARR (V1))
Project Start
1990-03-01
Project End
1993-02-28
Budget Start
1991-03-01
Budget End
1992-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Clever, J L; Eckstein, D A; Parslow, T G (1999) Genetic dissociation of the encapsidation and reverse transcription functions in the 5' R region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. J Virol 73:101-9
Clever, J L; Parslow, T G (1997) Mutant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genomes with defects in RNA dimerization or encapsidation. J Virol 71:3407-14
Lochrie, M A; Waugh, S; Pratt Jr, D G et al. (1997) In vitro selection of RNAs that bind to the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 gag polyprotein. Nucleic Acids Res 25:2902-10
Clever, J L; Wong, M L; Parslow, T G (1996) Requirements for kissing-loop-mediated dimerization of human immunodeficiency virus RNA. J Virol 70:5902-8
Mujeeb, A; Parslow, T G; Yuan, Y C et al. (1996) Aqueous solution structure of a hybrid lentiviral Tat peptide and a model of its interaction with HIV-1 TAR RNA. J Biomol Struct Dyn 13:649-60
Hunter, J J; Bond, B L; Parslow, T G (1996) Functional dissection of the human Bc12 protein: sequence requirements for inhibition of apoptosis. Mol Cell Biol 16:877-83
Lee, L C; Hunter, J J; Mujeeb, A et al. (1996) Evidence for alpha-helical conformation of an essential N-terminal region in the human Bcl2 protein. J Biol Chem 271:23284-8
Hunter, J J; Parslow, T G (1996) A peptide sequence from Bax that converts Bcl-2 into an activator of apoptosis. J Biol Chem 271:8521-4
Clever, J; Sassetti, C; Parslow, T G (1995) RNA secondary structure and binding sites for gag gene products in the 5' packaging signal of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. J Virol 69:2101-9
Mujeeb, A; Bishop, K; Peterlin, B M et al. (1994) NMR structure of a biologically active peptide containing the RNA-binding domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 91:8248-52

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