A human immunodeficiency virus Env inducible transcription system to examine consequences of gp120 expression

J Virol Methods. 2001 Nov;98(2):145-51. doi: 10.1016/s0166-0934(01)00373-1.

Abstract

According to several studies, the HIV-1 envelope gp120 protein and the co-receptor CXCR4 play an essential role in HIV-1 induced cell toxicity. Characterisation of the CD4-independent m7NDK isolate provided the opportunity of studying the effects of direct interactions between m7NDK gp120 and CXCR4. Therefore, an inducible expression system was designed enabling synthesis of HIV-1 Env proteins upon doxycycline induction. Analysis of the expression of the env gene of the m7NDK HIV-1 isolate revealed, unexpectedly, that even long-term expression of m7NDK gp120 did not result in cytotoxycity in CXCR4-positive or -negative cell lines. This is the first report of a CD4-independent HIV-1-protein inducible expression regulated through the Tet-On system and by an alternative splicing. Env inducible expression cell lines could constitute a useful cellular tool to undertake analysis of HIV Env protein expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Blotting, Western
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Fusion
  • Cell Line
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Vectors
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / biosynthesis*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / metabolism*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Receptors, CXCR4