Identification of a novel human zinc finger protein that specifically interacts with the activation domain of lentiviral Tat proteins

Virology. 1995 Jun 1;209(2):347-57. doi: 10.1006/viro.1995.1266.

Abstract

Transcriptional activation of HIV-1 gene expression by the viral Tat protein requires the interaction of a cellular cofactor with the Tat activation domain. This domain has been shown to consist of the cysteine-rich and core motifs of HIV-1 Tat and is functionally conserved in the distantly related Tat proteins of HIV-2 and EIAV. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have identified a novel human gene product, termed HT2A, that specifically and precisely binds to the activation domain of HIV-1 Tat and that can also interact with the HIV-2 and EIAV Tat proteins in vivo. We present data further demonstrating that the interaction between the activation domain of HIV-1 Tat and the HT2A protein can be readily detected in the mammalian cell nucleus. Sequence analysis demonstrates that HT2A is a novel member of the C3HC4 or ring finger family of zinc finger proteins that includes several known oncogenes and transcription factors. Overall, these data suggest that HT2A may play a significant role in mediating the biological activity of the HIV-1 Tat protein in vivo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / analysis
  • Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / biosynthesis
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Gene Products, tat / metabolism*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • HIV-2 / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Kidney
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Recombinant Proteins / analysis
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Zinc Fingers / physiology*
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Gene Products, tat
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase
  • TRIM32 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U18543