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Conservation of the central proline‐rich (PxxP) motifs of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein during the disease progression in two hemophiliac patients
Author(s) -
Asamitsu Kaori,
Morishima Takashi,
Tsuchie Hideaki,
Kurimura Takashi,
Okamoto Takashi
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)01288-0
Subject(s) - viral quasispecies , virology , biology , gene , myristoylation , genetics , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , sh3 domain , proto oncogene tyrosine protein kinase src , genome , receptor , phosphorylation
The nef gene is considered to play a crucial role in the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study, we analyzed the sequence of nef quasispecies obtained from replication‐competent HIV‐1 isolates from two Japanese hemophiliac patients infected with HIV‐1. At least 10 nef clones were isolated at each time point and a total of 75 individual nef quasispecies were sequenced. We observed a gradual increase in genetic diversity of the nef gene over time. Among the various functional regions of Nef protein, myristoylation site and the central PXXP (SH3 ligand) motifs were well conserved. The scattered regions responsible for downregulation of CD4 and class I MHC were also conserved. These data suggest that these functions of Nef may be involved throughout the disease process.