Abstract
Here we have investigated if human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease expressed in trans can interfere with production of infectious HIV-1 particles. Protease produced from a Tat and Rev inducible expression plasmid specifically cleaved HIV-1 p55Gag in a dose-dependent manner. Coexpression of protease and an infectious HIV-1 proviral clone resulted in increased intracellular cleavage of p55Gag. As a consequence, virus production and virus infectivity was significantly reduced. These results suggest that overexpression of HIV-1 protease in HIV-1-infected cells is a powerful way to inhibit production of infectious virions.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Base Sequence
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Cell Line
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Cells, Cultured
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DNA Primers
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Gene Expression
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Gene Products, gag / metabolism*
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HIV Core Protein p24 / biosynthesis
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HIV Protease / biosynthesis*
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HIV Protease / metabolism
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HIV-1 / pathogenicity
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HIV-1 / physiology*
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Humans
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Kinetics
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
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Plasmids
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
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Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
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Transfection
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Virus Replication*
Substances
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DNA Primers
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Gene Products, gag
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HIV Core Protein p24
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Recombinant Proteins
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HIV Protease