APOBEC3G subunits self-associate via the C-terminal deaminase domain

J Biol Chem. 2008 Nov 28;283(48):33329-36. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M803726200. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

Abstract

Human APOBEC3G (hA3G) is a cytidine deaminase active on HIV single-stranded DNA. Small angle x-ray scattering and molecular envelope restorations predicted a C-terminal dimeric model for RNA-depleted hA3G in solution. Each subunit was elongated, suggesting that individual domains of hA3G are solvent-exposed and therefore may interact with other macromolecules even as isolated substructures. In this study, co-immunoprecipitation and in-cell quenched fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays reveal that hA3G forms RNA-independent oligomers through interactions within its C terminus. Residues 209-336 were necessary and sufficient for homoligomerization. N-terminal domains of hA3G were unable to multimerize but remained functional for Gag and viral infectivity factor (Vif) interactions when expressed apart from the C terminus. These findings corroborate the small angle x-ray scattering structural model and are instructive for development of high throughput screens that target specific domains and their functions to identify HIV/AIDS therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase
  • Cell Line
  • Cytidine Deaminase / chemistry
  • Cytidine Deaminase / genetics
  • Cytidine Deaminase / metabolism*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Dimerization
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / chemistry
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / genetics
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / metabolism*
  • HIV-1 / chemistry
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / chemistry
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA, Viral
  • HIV Core Protein p24
  • p24 protein, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • vif protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase
  • APOBEC3G protein, human
  • Cytidine Deaminase