Abstract
To investigate the role of vpr (viral protein R) in the replication and cytopathicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), infectious proviruses were constructed that were isogenic except for the ability to produce the protein product of vpr. The experiments described here demonstrate that vpr encodes a 96 amino acid 15 kDa protein. The vpr product increases the rate of replication and accelerates the cytopathic effect of the virus in T cells. Vpr acts in trans to increase levels of viral protein expression. The stimulatory effect of vpr is observed to act on the HIV-1 LTR as well as on several heterologous promoters.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / genetics
-
Gene Products, vpr
-
HIV-1 / genetics
-
HIV-1 / pathogenicity
-
HIV-1 / physiology*
-
Proviruses / genetics
-
Proviruses / physiology*
-
Retroviridae Proteins / isolation & purification*
-
Trans-Activators / physiology
-
Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / isolation & purification*
-
Virus Replication / genetics
-
vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Substances
-
Gene Products, vpr
-
Retroviridae Proteins
-
Trans-Activators
-
Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
-
vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus