Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein inhibits activation pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T-cell lines

Analysis of the SH3-binding region of HIV-1 nef: partial functional defects introduced by mutations in the polyproline helix and the hydrophobic pocket

An SH3-binding domain within the Nef protein of primate lentiviruses has been reported to be important to viral replication and infectivity and dispensable for CD4 downregulation, but its precise role remains unclear. This study investigates the effects of mutations in both the polyproline helix and in the hydrophobic pocket that constitute the SH3-binding domain of Nef. The data demonstrate that the well-studied mutation of the central prolines is only partially disruptive to viral infectivity and replication. The central prolines also make a subtle contribution to the efficiency of CD4 downregulation, detectable only using low levels of Nef expression. Mutation of a conserved arginine in the polyproline helix abrogated more completely Nef-mediated enhancement of viral infectivity; this mutation also adversely affected CD4 downregulation at low levels of Nef expression. Only the R77A mutation substantially impaired downregulation of class I MHC. However, mutation of the central prolines and of R77 yielded proteins that were expressed less efficiently than wild-type Nef. The R77A mutant was expressed most poorly, compatible with its defective phenotypes in all assays. Mutations of the hydrophobic pocket were minimally detrimental to both the virologic and the receptor modulatory functions of Nef. Taken together, this analysis suggests that mutations in the SH3-binding domain do not abrogate fully any Nef-associated phenotype in the absence of detrimental effects on protein expression. We suggest that mutations in this domain can introduce incomplete effects caused by subtle impairments to protein expression; these effects may appear selective under certain experimental conditions due to different sensitivities of the assays to the level of Nef expression.

Induction of interleukin-15 production by HIV-1 nef protein: a role in the proliferation of uninfected cells

Several recent reports have provided evidence that Nef enhances human immunodeficiency virus HIV infectivity, and in vitro experiments with the nef gene have demonstrated the possible role of Nef in modulating immune responses. Exogenous Nef has been demonstrated to induce proliferation of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and to enhance HIV-1 replication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological mechanisms by which Nef, used as exogenous protein, modulates cellular activation. We showed that exogenous Nef protein induces the proliferation of unstimulated and suboptimally stimulated normal human PBMC, while it has no effect on the proliferation of optimally stimulated PBMC. Moreover, the activating effect of exogenous Nef on PBMC proliferation was associated with an increase of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production, while, surprisingly, IL-2 production was not affected by Nef. More importantly we showed, for the first time, that Nef exerts its activating effects on PBMC proliferation through IL-15 synthesis induction by monocyte/macrophage population. In conclusion, we found that exogenous Nef protein (i) induces activation of normal PBMC, increasing their proliferative response; (ii) modulates cytokine production; (iii) exerts its activating effects through IL-15 synthesis induction; and (iv) exerts these effects entering monocyte/macrophages. Our results might suggest that Nef enhances the rate of viral replication by a novel mechanism involving the production of IL-15.

HIV-1 Nef increases T cell activation in a stimulus-dependent manner

Lentiviral Nef increases viral replication in vivo, plays a direct role in pathogenesis, and increases viral particle infectivity. We now find that HIV Nef also increases the activation of T cells, a cellular state required for optimal viral replication. This enhancement is stimulant-dependent. As defined by IL-2 generation, activation of T cells stimulated with classical mitogens [phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) + anti-CD3, PMA + phytohemagglutinin, and PMA + ionomycin] is unaffected by the expression of Nef. However, Nef increases IL-2 secretion when cells are stimulated through the T cell receptor and the costimulus receptor (CD28). This increase in activation, which depends on Nef myristylation, is caused by an increase in the number of cells reaching full activation and not by an increase in the amount of IL-2 secreted per cell. These findings demonstrate that Nef lowers the threshold of the dual-receptor T cell activation pathway. The capacity of Nef to increase T cell activity may be very important in vivo when Nef is the predominant or the only viral gene product expressed.

Simian immunodeficiency virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef proteins show distinct patterns and mechanisms of Src kinase activation

The nef gene from human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV) regulates cell function and viral replication, possibly through binding of the nef product to cellular proteins, including Src family tyrosine kinases. We show here that the Nef protein encoded by SIVmac239 interacts with and also activates the human Src kinases Lck and Hck. This is in direct contrast to the inhibitory effect of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) Nef on Lck catalytic activity. Unexpectedly, however, the interaction of SIV Nef with human Lck or Hck is not mediated via its consensus proline motif, which is known to mediate HIV-1 Nef binding to Src homology 3 (SH3) domains, and various experimental analyses failed to show significant interaction of SIV Nef with the SH3 domain of either kinase. Instead, SIV Nef can bind Lck and Hck SH2 domains, and its N-terminal 50 amino acid residues are sufficient for Src kinase binding and activation. Our results provide evidence for multiple mechanisms by which Nef binds to and regulates Src kinases.

Immunologic and virologic status after 14 to 18 years of infection with an attenuated strain of HIV-1. A report from the Sydney Blood Bank Cohort

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

The Sydney Blood Bank Cohort consists of a blood donor and eight transfusion recipients who were infected before 1985 with a strain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with a deletion in the region in which the nef gene and the long terminal repeat overlap. Two recipients have died since 1994, at 77 and 83 years of age, of causes unrelated to HIV infection; one other recipient, who had systemic lupus erythematosus, died in 1987 at 22 years of age of causes possibly related to HIV. We present longitudinal immunologic and virologic data on the six surviving members and one deceased member of this cohort through September 30, 1998.

RESULTS

The five surviving recipients remain asymptomatic 14 to 18 years after HIV-1 infection without any antiretroviral therapy; however, the donor commenced therapy in February 1999. In three recipients plasma concentrations of HIV-1 RNA are undetectable (<200 copies per milliliter), and in two of these three the CD4 lymphocyte counts have declined by 9 and 30 cells per cubic millimeter per year (P=0.3 and P=0.5, respectively). The donor and two other recipients have median plasma concentrations of HIV-1 RNA of 645 to 2850 copies per milliliter; the concentration has increased in the donor (P<0.001). The CD4 lymphocyte counts in these three cohort members have declined by 16 to 73 cells per cubic millimeter per year (P<0.001). In the recipient who died after 12 years of infection, the median plasma concentration of HIV-1 RNA was 1400 copies per milliliter, with a decline in CD4 lymphocyte counts of 17 cells per cubic millimeter per year (P=0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

After prolonged infection with this attenuated strain of HIV-1, there is evidence of immunologic damage in three of the four subjects with detectable plasma HIV-1 RNA. The CD4 lymphocyte counts appear to be stable in the three subjects in whom plasma HIV-1 RNA remains undetectable.

Nef enhances human immunodeficiency virus replication and responsiveness to interleukin-2 in human lymphoid tissue ex vivo

The nef gene is important for the pathogenicity associated with simian immunodeficiency virus infection in rhesus monkeys and with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in humans. The mechanisms by which nef contributes to pathogenesis in vivo remain unclear. We investigated the contribution of nef to HIV-1 replication in human lymphoid tissue ex vivo by studying infection with parental HIV-1 strain NL4-3 and with a nef mutant (DeltanefNL4-3). In human tonsillar histocultures, NL4-3 replicated to higher levels than DeltanefNL4-3 did. Increased virus production with NL4-3 infection was associated with increased numbers of productively infected cells and greater loss of CD4(+) T cells over time. While the numbers of productively infected T cells were increased in the presence of nef, the levels of viral expression and production per infected T cell were similar whether the nef gene was present or not. Exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased HIV-1 production in NL4-3-infected tissue in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, DeltanefNL4-3 production was enhanced only marginally by IL-2. Thus, Nef can facilitate HIV-1 replication in human lymphoid tissue ex vivo by increasing the numbers of productively infected cells and by increasing the responsiveness to IL-2 stimulation.

The acidic region and conserved putative protein kinase C phosphorylation site in Nef are important for SIV replication in rhesus macaques

Variants of the pathogenic SIVmac239 clone with changes in Nef were analyzed to assess the functional relevance of two highly conserved regions in Nef in vitro and in vivo. Changes in a region with an acidic charge (Aci-Nef), or a potential protein kinase C phosphorylation site (PKC-Nef), impaired the ability of Nef to down-regulate CD4 and MHC class I surface expression and to alter CD3-initiated signal transduction in Jurkat T cells. The Aci-Nef, but not the PKC-Nef, associated with the previously described p65 phosphoprotein. SIV containing Aci-Nef, but not SIV containing PKC-Nef, showed reduced infectivity and replication in cell culture systems. One of two rhesus macaques infected with the PKC-Nef mutant virus showed rapid reversion and progressed to disease. In the second animal no reversions and nonprogressive infection was observed. In one of two macaques infected with the Aci-Nef variant, the mutations were stable during the first 40 weeks after infection. Thereafter, variants evolved in which up to six of the eight mutated positions in Nef were reverted and functional activity in vitro was partially restored. These changes occurred concomitantly with increasing viral load and disease progression. The second animal infected with the Aci-Nef variant showed no reversions and remained asymptomatic. Our study suggests that the acidic region and conserved PKC phosphorylation site in Nef are important for SIV replication in rhesus macaques and for several in vitro Nef functions. An almost wild-type activity in in vitro infectivity and replication assays seems insufficient to confer a full nef-positive phenotype in vivo.

The downregulation of CD4 and MHC-I by primate lentiviruses: a paradigm for the modulation of cell surface receptors

The human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV) downregulate the cell surface expression of CD4, their primary receptor, and of class I histocompatibility complex (MHC-I), a critical mediator of immune recognition. While the first of these effects seems important to preserve viral infectivity, the second likely promotes immune evasion. Three HIV-1 proteins, Nef, Env and Vpu, contribute to downregulate CD4, Env forms a complex with CD4 in the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby retaining the receptor in this compartment. Nef and Vpu, on the other hand, act as connectors between CD4 and specific intracellular trafficking pathways, targeting the receptor for degradation in the lysosome and the proteasome, respectively. Some of the downstream partners of the viral proteins in these events have been identified, and include the adaptor complex of clathrin-coated pits, the beta subunit of COP-I coatomer, and the ubiquitin pathway-related h-beta TrCP protein. HIV-induced MHC-I downregulation, mostly the effect of Nef, also reflects a redistribution of this receptor, with its accumulation in the Golgi. The modalities of this process, however, are as yet imperfectly understood. New evidence indicates that the mechanisms employed by primate lentiviruses to downmodulate CD4 and MHC-I are also exploited by a number of cellular regulatory processes.

The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses

The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses acts as an important virulence factor in vivo both in monkeys and in humans. Among a human cohort of long-term non-progressors, several Nef defective HIV1 viruses have been isolated, indicating that Nef may accelerate HIV progression and disease in humans. Additionally, a Nef-deleted SIV virus has low titres in rhesus monkeys and the animals develop AIDS at a much slower rate. In vitro, Nef can exert at least three kinds of effects: it downregulates CD4 and MHC class I, it stimulates virion infectivity and it alters signal transduction pathways. To accomplish this, Nef interacts with a series of cellular partners including CD4, components of the adaptor complexes AP-1 and AP-2, and several protein kinases, Nef often functioning as a connector between targets and effectors. The high degree of understanding of at least some aspects of Nef action, as well as the importance of this viral gene product for disease induction, identify Nef as a valuable target for the development of novel antiviral therapies. Moreover, the possibility of developing vaccines using attenuated viruses with deletions in nef and other crucial genes raises the possibility that the AIDS epidemic might one day be restrained.

Nef-induced CD4 and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) down-regulation are governed by distinct determinants: N-terminal alpha helix and proline repeat of Nef selectively regulate MHC-I trafficking

The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses triggers the accelerated endocytosis of CD4 and of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I), thereby down-modulating the cell surface expression of these receptors. Nef acts as a connector between the CD4 cytoplasmic tail and intracellular sorting pathways both in the Golgi and at the plasma membrane, triggering the de novo formation of CD4-specific clathrin-coated pits (CCP). The downstream partners of Nef in this event are the adapter protein complex (AP) of CCP and possibly a subunit of the vacuolar ATPase. Whether Nef-induced MHC-I down-regulation stems from a similar mechanism is unknown. By comparing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef mutants for their ability to affect either CD4 or MHC-I expression, both in transient-transfection assays and in the context of HIV-1 infection, it was determined that Nef-induced CD4 and MHC-I down-regulation constitute genetically and functionally separate properties. Mutations affecting only CD4 regulation mapped to residues previously shown to mediate the binding of Nef to this receptor, such as W57 and L58, as well as to an AP-recruiting dileucine motif and to an acidic dipeptide in the C-terminal region of the protein. In contrast, mutation of residues in an alpha-helical region in the proximal portion of Nef and amino acid substitutions in a proline-based SH3 domain-binding motif selectively affected MHC-I down-modulation. Although both the N-terminal alpha-helix and the proline-rich region of Nef have been implicated in recruiting Src family protein kinases, the inhibitor herbimycin A did not block MHC-I down-regulation, suggesting that the latter process is not mediated through an activation of this family of tyrosine kinases.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Protein Sensitizes CD4+ T Lymphoid Cells to Apoptosis via Functional Upregulation of the CD95/CD95 Ligand Pathway

Many viruses have evolved genes encoding proteins that regulate cell death by apoptosis. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef protein alters T-cell development and signaling and is required for optimal viral replication and pathogenicity in vivo. To analyze the interference of Nef with cell survival, we used both regulated and constitutively expressed nef alleles in stably transfected T-cell lines. Nef-expressing cells were sensitized to cell death by apoptosis, which was specifically exacerbated by an anti-CD95 IgM monoclonal antibody (MoAb). Flow cytometric analysis showed that the surface expression of both CD95 and CD95 ligand (CD95L) was upregulated by endogenous Nef expression. Nef-mediated apoptosis was almost completely suppressed by the addition in culture of an anti-CD95 Fab′ IgG MoAb, which specifically blocks CD95/CD95L interactions. Lastly, mutation of a proline motif in the core region of the nef gene, which disrupts its ability to interact with cellular kinases and reduces HIV-1 replication in vitro, completely abrogated the Nef-mediated induction of apoptosis as well as its ability to upregulate surface CD95 and CD95L. These findings may provide molecular insight into the role of endogenous Nef in the T-cell depletion observed in vivo, particularly HIV-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Protein Sensitizes CD4+ T Lymphoid Cells to Apoptosis via Functional Upregulation of the CD95/CD95 Ligand Pathway

Many viruses have evolved genes encoding proteins that regulate cell death by apoptosis. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef protein alters T-cell development and signaling and is required for optimal viral replication and pathogenicity in vivo. To analyze the interference of Nef with cell survival, we used both regulated and constitutively expressed nef alleles in stably transfected T-cell lines. Nef-expressing cells were sensitized to cell death by apoptosis, which was specifically exacerbated by an anti-CD95 IgM monoclonal antibody (MoAb). Flow cytometric analysis showed that the surface expression of both CD95 and CD95 ligand (CD95L) was upregulated by endogenous Nef expression. Nef-mediated apoptosis was almost completely suppressed by the addition in culture of an anti-CD95 Fab′ IgG MoAb, which specifically blocks CD95/CD95L interactions. Lastly, mutation of a proline motif in the core region of the nef gene, which disrupts its ability to interact with cellular kinases and reduces HIV-1 replication in vitro, completely abrogated the Nef-mediated induction of apoptosis as well as its ability to upregulate surface CD95 and CD95L. These findings may provide molecular insight into the role of endogenous Nef in the T-cell depletion observed in vivo, particularly HIV-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.

Identification and cloning of a novel cellular protein Naf1, Nef-associated factor 1, that increases cell surface CD4 expression

The nef gene of human and simian immunodeficiency virus is a key factor in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pathogenesis and virus replication. Several Nef-induced phenomena, including the down-regulation of CD4 molecule, have been previously reported. In this study, we have identified and cloned a novel cellular protein Naf1 (Nef-associated factor 1), which associated with Nef in the yeast two-hybrid system and pull-down assay. The Naf1 gene generates two isoforms (Naf1alpha and beta) containing four coiled-coil structures. The Naf1 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues with strong expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen. Naf1 overexpression increased cell surface CD4 expression. Nef suppressed this Naf1-induced augmentation of CD4 expression, providing a novel mode of Nef action in CD4 down-regulation.

Zeta chain of the T-cell receptor interacts with nef of simian immunodeficiency virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 2

A truncated version of the nef gene of simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac239 capable of encoding amino acids 98 to 263 was used as bait to screen a cDNA library from activated lymphocytes in a yeast two-hybrid system. The zeta chain of the T-cell receptor (TCRzeta) was found to interact specifically not only with truncated SIV nef in yeast cells but also with full-length glutathione S-transferase (GST)-SIVnef fusion protein in vitro. Coimmunoprecipitation of TCRzeta with full-length SIV nef was demonstrated in transfected Jurkat cells and in Cos 18 cells which express the cytoplasmic domain of TCRzeta fused to the external domain of CD8 via the CD8 transmembrane domain. Using a series of nef deletion mutants, we have mapped the binding site within the central core domain of nef (amino acids 98 to 235). Binding of TCRzeta was specific for nef isolated from SIVmac239, SIVsmH4, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-2ST and was not detected with nef from five different HIV-1 isolates. An active tyrosine kinase was coprecipitated with nef-TCRzeta complexes from Jurkat cells but not from J.CAM1.6 cells which lack a functional Lck tyrosine kinase. These results demonstrate a specific association of SIV and HIV-2 nef, but not HIV-1 nef, with TCRzeta.

Virological importance of the protease-cleavage site in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef is independent of both intravirion processing and CD4 down-regulation

The HIV-1 Nef protein is present within the virion and is processed there by the viral protease. Mutational analysis indicated that residues 54-60 in HIV-1 Nef were required for intravirion cleavage. When viruses were produced using T cell lines or primary lymphoblasts, these residues were also required for optimal viral infectivity. However, substitution of native Nef residues with those of a functional Gag cleavage site demonstrated that intravirion cleavage was insufficient for the virological function of this domain. Furthermore, the importance of certain cleavage site residues to infectivity was conditional on the producer cell type. In particular, a mutant containing a deletion of residues 54-57 was phenotypically nef defective when produced using T cells (CEM, A2.01, or primary lymphoblasts) but was minimally impaired when produced from 293 or HeLa cells. This mutant was cleavage resistant, indicating that proteolytic processing of Nef was dispensable for infectivity enhancement when virions were assembled in certain non-T cells. Residues 54-61 of the cleavage site, including 54-57, were also required for Nef-mediated down-regulation of CD4. However, the surface expression of CD4 on HeLa cells in amounts comparable to that on the surface of primary T lymphoblasts did not create a producer cell environment in which residues 54-57 acquired greater virological importance. Furthermore, these residues were required for optimal infectivity even during virion assembly in T cells (A2. 01) that expressed a CD4 molecule that is unable to respond to Nef. These data suggested that in producer T cells, certain cleavage site residues (54-57) contribute to a Nef-mediated virological effect that is unlikely to be linked causally to CD4 down-regulation. Conversely, in the context of 293 cells as viral producers, the Delta54-57 mutant separated genetically down-regulation of CD4 (for which it was defective) from enhancement of infectivity (for which it was functional). Together, these data indicate that the virological function of the cleavage site domain is both independent of intravirion proteolytic processing of Nef and independent of CD4 down-regulation.

A novel kinase activity associated with Nef derived from neurovirulent simian immunodeficiency virus

The Nef proteins of Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been shown to associate with several cellular kinases. Further, the ability of SIVmac239 Nef to associate with a p21-activated kinase (PAK)-related kinase has been correlated with pathogenic progression to AIDS in rhesus macaques. Because the ability of Nef to associate with the PAK-related kinase is viral isolate dependent, we reasoned that viral isolates derived from distinct physiological locations may encode Nef proteins that exhibit distinct kinase association profiles. In this study, we compared kinase activities associated with Nef proteins derived from the prototypic lymphocyte-tropic SIVmac239 and a macrophage-tropic, neurovirulent clone, SIV/17E-Fr. Our findings not only support previous studies that have documented the association of SIVmac239 Nef with a PAK-related kinase and a Nef-associated kinase complex (NAKC) but describe a novel serine kinase activity detectable only in conjunction with the Nef protein derived from the neurovirulent clone, SIV/17E-Fr. The latter Nef protein does not associate with PAK, and unlike PAK or NAKC, this novel kinase activity is enhanced in association with nonmyristoylated forms of Nef and can utilize both ATP and GTP as phosphodonors. We also show that at least one substrate for the kinase is Nef itself and demonstrate that the SIV/17E-Fr Nef protein is phosphorylated in SIV-infected cells. These results suggest that the ability to associate with cellular kinases in general may be a conserved feature of Nef, but particular kinase/Nef associations may evolve with changes in the host environment concomitant with viral spread.

Phosphorylation of triciribine is necessary for activity against HIV type 1

Triciribine (TCN) is a tricyclic nucleoside with known antineoplastic and antiviral activity. It is a potent and selective inhibitor of HIV-1 and HIV-2, including strains known to be resistant to AZT or TIBO. TCN is phosphorylated to its 5'-monophosphate (TCN-P) by intracellular adenosine kinase (AK), but is not converted to di- or triphosphates. We now report that 5'-phosphorylation is requisite for the activity of TCN against HIV-1. CEM cells incubated with TCN at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 330 microM gave intracellular TCN-P concentrations from 27 to 775 microM, respectively. There was no difference in the amount of intracellular TCN-P detected in uninfected compared with HIV-1-infected CEM cells. The antiviral effect of TCN against HIV-1 was strongly antagonized by the AK inhibitor 5-iodotubercidin (ITu). In contrast, TCN and ITu only exhibited additive cytotoxicity. The 5'-deoxy analog of TCN, which cannot be phosphorylated, had no antiviral effect against HIV-1 at a concentration more than 100 times higher than the IC50 of TCN. Similarly, TCN was not active against HIV-1 in an AK-deficient cell line (AA-2) at concentrations shown to inhibit the virus by >95% in CEM cells. Consistent with its AK-deficient phenotype, this cell line phosphorylated TCN to only 3% of the extent observed in CEM cells. We conclude that TCN must be phosphorylated to TCN-P for activity against HIV-1.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein binds the Src-related tyrosine kinase Lck SH2 domain through a novel phosphotyrosine independent mechanism

Primate lentiviruses encode for an unique nef gene with an essential function in both viral replication and pathogenicity in the host. The molecular basis for this function remains however poorly defined. Several Nef-binding cellular proteins are thought to be instrumental in its function. Indeed, Nef contains a proline-rich motif implicated in the binding to the Src-like tyrosine kinase Hck and also to a Ser/Thr kinase of molecular weight 62 kDa. The disruption of this motif affects the binding to both these kinases as well as viral replication. Whereas Hck is expressed in the myeloid lineage and hence may account for the nef function in infected monocytes, we and others have reported previously that Nef also interacts with the T-lymphocyte Src-kinase Lck, leading to specific cell signaling impairment. This interaction occurs through the binding of Nef to both Lck SH2 and SH3 domains. Both the proline motif and phosphorylation of Nef on tyrosine residue were proposed to account for these interactions. Here, we investigate the mechanism of Lck SH2 binding by HIV-1 Nef. Using recombinant fusion proteins to precipitate lysates, we show that although SH2 binding is dependent on phosphorylation events, it occurs in a tyrosine independent manner because it requires neither tyrosine residues in Nef nor the phosphotyrosine binding pocket from the Lck SH2 domain, hence suggesting a role for a phosphoserine or a phosphothreonine residue. Further, we show that Hck SH2 does not interact with Nef, indicating that Hck SH3 binding is sufficient for Nef binding, whereas Lck SH2 cooperate together with SH3 to allow Nef binding to a level similar to Hck SH3. Together, our results establish different mechanisms for Hck and Lck binding by HIV-1 Nef protein, and identify a novel mechanism for Src-like tyrosine kinase targeting by a viral protein.

Binding of c-Raf1 kinase to a conserved acidic sequence within the carboxyl-terminal region of the HIV-1 Nef protein

Nef is a membrane-associated cytoplasmic phosphoprotein that is well conserved among the different human (HIV-1 and HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency viruses and has important roles in down-regulating the CD4 receptor and modulating T-cell signaling pathways. The ability to modulate T-cell signaling pathways suggests that Nef may physically interact with T-cell signaling proteins. In order to identify Nef binding proteins and map their site(s) of interaction, we targeted a highly conserved acidic sequence at the carboxyl-terminal region of Nef sharing striking similarity with an acidic sequence at the c-Raf1-binding site within the Ras effector region. Here, we used deletion and site-specific mutagenesis to generate mutant Nef proteins fused to bacterial glutathione S-transferase in in vitro precipitation assays and immunoblot analysis to map the specific interaction between the HIV-1LAI Nef and c-Raf1 to a conserved acidic sequence motif containing the core sequence Asp-Asp-X-X-X-Glu (position 174-179). Significantly, we demonstrate that substitution of the nonpolar glycine residue for either or both of the conserved negatively charged aspartic acid residues at positions 174 and 175 in the full-length recombinant Nef protein background completely abrogated binding of c-Raf1 in vitro. In addition, lysates from a permanent CEM T-cell line constitutively expressing the native HIV-1 Nef protein was used to coimmunoprecipitate a stable Nef-c-Raf1 complex, suggesting that molecular interactions between Nef and c-Raf1, an important downstream transducer of cell signaling through the c-Raf1-MAP kinase pathway, occur in vivo. This interaction may account for the Nef-induced perturbations of T-cell signaling and activation pathways in vitro and in vivo.

The tyrosine-17 residue of Nef in SIVsmmPBj14 is required for acute pathogenesis and contributes to replication in macrophages

The variant simian immunodeficiency virus termed SIVsmmPBj14 induces a rapidly fatal disease in pig-tailed macaques. The acute pathogenic effects of this virus appear to be associated with at least two in vitro characteristics: the ability to induce lymphocyte proliferation; and the ability to replicate in unstimulated PBMC. Two of the amino acids in Nef of PBj14 (the No. 17 residue, tyrosine, and the No. 18 residue, glutamic acid) appear to be linked to the virus' ability to induce lymphocyte activation. To further study the effects of these amino acids on PBj14-induced pathogenesis, we generated two mutant viruses from our molecular clone, PBj6.6, containing either changes in both the No. 17 and No. 18 residues (termed PBj6.6YE-RQ), or a single change in the No. 17 residue (termed PBj6.6Y-R). In vitro analyses of these viruses showed that while their replicative abilities in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were altered, they still maintained the ability to replicate in unstimulated PBMC. Replication of these viruses in macrophage populations was impaired relative to the wild-type virus. Both mutant viruses were unable to induce proliferation of macaque PBMC in vitro. Virus derived from PBj6.6Y-R was unable to induce acute disease in macaques, but did maintain the ability to induce lymphopenia and intestinal lymphoid hyperplasia. These results show that the tyrosine-17 residue of Nef is linked to lymphocyte proliferation and disease development, but also suggest that the pathogenic characteristics of SIVsmmPBj14 are dependent upon multiple genetic determinants.

Mechanism of Nef-induced CD4 endocytosis: Nef connects CD4 with the mu chain of adaptor complexes

The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses down-regulates the cell surface expression of CD4 and probably MHC I by connecting these receptors with the endocytic machinery. Here, we reveal that Nef interacts with the mu chains of adaptor complexes, key components of clathrin-coated pits. For human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Nef, this interaction occurs via tyrosine-based motifs reminiscent of endocytosis signals. Mutating these motifs prevents the binding of SIV Nef to the mu chain of plasma membrane adaptor complexes, abrogates its ability to induce CD4 internalization, suppresses the accelerated endocytosis of a chimeric integral membrane protein harboring Nef as its cytoplasmic domain and confers a dominant-negative phenotype to the viral protein. Taken together, these data identify mu adaptins as downstream mediators of the down-modulation of CD4, and possibly MHC I, by Nef.

T cells chronically infected with HIV do not contain sufficient Nef to promote CD4 downmodulation in the absence of envelope-mediated effects

Among HIV viral proteins, envelope glycoproteins and Nef have been both suggested to participate in CD4 downregulation during the course of HIV infection. In a previous study, we provided evidence that a mutant form of CD4 that does not bind gp120 was never downregulated in chronically HIV-1- and HIV-2-infected CEM cells. To further investigate the relative effects of Nef or glycoproteins in CD4 downregulation, recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) vectors were used to express high levels of HIV-1 viral proteins in cells expressing both wild-type and mutant CD4. It was demonstrated that during HIV infection, overexpression of Nef, achieved through the VV expression system, was necessary to induce CD4 downregulation in the mutant CD4-expressing cell model. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Nef-mediated CD4 downregulation depends on the cellular levels of Nef expression. We concluded that during the late stage of viral replication, CD4 downregulation is mostly due to gp120 and not to Nef because of a low level of Nef expression.

Lymphoproliferative immune function in the Sydney Blood Bank Cohort, infected with natural nef/long terminal repeat mutants, and in other long-term survivors of transfusion-acquired HIV-1 infection

OBJECTIVES

To assess T-helper cell immune function (proliferation) in members of the Sydney Blood Bank Cohort (SBBC) compared with other individuals with transfusion- and sexually acquired HIV-1 infection and with matched HIV-negative controls.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Decreasing CD4 counts and T-helper cell function are associated with disease progression. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from study subjects were assayed for in vitro proliferative responses to HIV-1-derived antigens, recall antigens and alloantigen. T-helper cell function and CD4 counts in members of the SBBC were followed longitudinally.

RESULTS

Proliferative responses and CD4 counts from members of the SBBC were similar to or better than those of other transfusion- or sexually-acquired HIV-1-positive long-term non-progressors (LTNP), including the HIV-negative matched SBBC control groups. However, individuals with disease progression had reduced or undetectable proliferative responses to recall antigens but a conserved response to alloantigen; they also had low CD4 counts and low CD4:CD8 ratios. In the SBBC, these immune parameters were usually stable over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The unique SBBC with natural nef/long terminal repeat deletions in the HIV-1 genome were genuine LTNP without showing signs of disease progression. They appeared to be a group distinct from the tail-end of the normal distribution of disease progression rates, and may remain asymptomatic indefinitely. The SBBC virus may form the basis of a live attenuated immunotherapeutic or immunoprophylactic HIV vaccine.

Mutational analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory genes: requirement of a site in the nef gene for HIV-1 replication in activated CD4+ T cells in vitro and in vivo

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory genes including nef, vif, and vpr are important factors that determine the replication and pathogenesis of HIV-1. The state of activation is also important for the replication of HIV-1. We evaluated the properties of nef-, vif-, and vpr-minus macrophage-tropic HIV-1(JR) CSF in primary CD4+ Th1- or Th2-like cell cultures which had been activated through CD3 molecules in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-12 (Th1-like culture) or IL-4 (Th2-like culture), respectively. In activated Th1- or Th2-like cultures, replication of nef-minus HIV-1(JR-CSF) was markedly lower than that of wild-type HIV-1. Subsequent analysis by site-directed mutagenesis showed that (i) the presence of an acidic amino acid-rich domain (amino acid residues 72 to 75) in the Nef protein was critical for the enhancement of viral DNA synthesis, resulting in increased virus growth rate, and (ii) prolines that form part of Src homology 3 binding domain were not essential for viral replication. We also confirmed the importance of sites by using an HIV-1-infected animal model, the hu-PBL-SCID mouse system, representing HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis in activated CD4+ T cells in vivo. These results indicate that Nef accelerates viral replication in activated CD4+ T cells.

The crystal structure of HIV-1 Nef protein bound to the Fyn kinase SH3 domain suggests a role for this complex in altered T cell receptor signaling

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Nef protein accelerates virulent progression of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by its interaction with specific cellular proteins involved in signal transduction and host cell activation. Nef has been shown to bind specifically to a subset of the Src family of kinases. The structures of free Nef and Nef bound to Src homology region 3 (SH3) domain are important for the elucidation of how the affinity and specificity for the Src kinase family SH3 domains are achieved, and also for the development of potential drugs and vaccines against AIDS.

RESULTS

We have determined the crystal structures of the conserved core of HIV-1 Nef protein alone and in complex with the wild-type SH3 domain of the p59fyn protein tyrosine kinase (Fyn), at 3.0 A resolution. Comparison of the bound and unbound Nef structures revealed that a proline-rich motif (Pro-x-x-Pro), which is implicated in SH3 binding, is partially disordered in the absence of the binding partner; this motif only fully adopts a left-handed polyproline type II helix conformation upon complex formation with the Fyn SH3 domain. In addition, the structures show how an arginine residue (Arg77) of Nef interacts with Asp 100 of the so-called RT loop within the Fyn SH3 domain, and triggers a hydrogen-bond rearrangement which allows the loop to adapt to complement the Nef surface. The Arg96 residue of the Fyn SH3 domain is specifically accommodated in the same hydrophobic pocket of Nef as the isoleucine residue of a previously described Fyn SH3 (Arg96-->lle) mutant that binds to Nef with higher affinity than the wild type.

CONCLUSIONS

The three-dimensional structures support evidence that the Nef-Fyn complex forms in vivo and may have a crucial role in the T cell perturbating action of Nef by altering T cell receptor signaling. The structures of bound and unbound Nef reveal that the multivalency of SH3 binding may be achieved by a ligand induced flexibility in the RT loop. The structures suggest possible targets for the design of inhibitors which specifically block Nef-SH3 interactions.

Nef-mediated clathrin-coated pit formation

The sequence of events leading to clathrin-coated pit (CCP) nucleation on the cell surface and to the incorporation of receptors into these endocytic structures is still imperfectly understood. In particular, the question remains as to whether receptor tails initiate the assembly of the coat proteins or whether receptors migrate into preformed CCP. This question was approached through a dissection of the mechanisms implemented by Nef, an early protein of human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV, respectively), to accelerate the endocytosis of cluster of differentiation antigen type 4 (CD4), the major receptor for these viruses. Results collected showed that: (a) Nef promotes CD4 internalization via an increased association of CD4 with CCP; (b) the Nef-mediated increase of CD4 association with CCP is related to a doubling of the plasma membrane area occupied by clathrin-coated structures; (c) this increased CCP number at the plasma membrane has functional consequences preferentially on CD4 uptake and does not significantly affect transferrin receptor internalization or fluid-phase endocytosis; (d) the presence of a CD4 cytoplasmic tail including a critical dileucine motif is required to induce CCP formation via Nef; and (e) when directly anchored to the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane, Nef itself can promote CCP formation. Taken together, these observations lead us to propose that CD4 can promote CCP generation via the connector molecule Nef. In this model, Nef interacts on one side with CD4 through a dileucine-based motif present on CD4 cytoplasmic tail and on the other side with components of clathrin-coated surface domain (i.e., adaptins). These Nef-generated complexes would then initiate the nucleation of CCP.

A role for natural simian immunodeficiency virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef alleles in lymphocyte activation

A T-lymphoid cell line termed 221 was derived from a rhesus monkey infected with herpesvirus saimiri. Growth of 221 cells was dependent on the addition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to the culture medium. In the absence of IL-2, 221 cells arrested in G0-G1 but did not die. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replicated efficiently in IL-2-stimulated 221 cells whether or not the nef gene was present. In the absence of IL-2, nef-containing SIV replicated 8 to 100 times more efficiently in 221 cells than did the same virus lacking nef. nef-containing virus preferentially stimulated the production of IL-2 from 221 cells. HIV-1 nef and v-ras genes, but not the c-ras gene, were shown to substitute functionally for SIV nef when tested as recombinant viruses in this assay system. These results demonstrate a role for natural nef in causing lymphoid cell activation, and they provide a system for delineating the biochemical mechanisms responsible for this activation.

Molecular Determinants of Nef Function

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), in addition to encoding for the gag, pol and env structural genes common to all retroviruses also encodes six accessory genes: tat, rev, nef, vpr, vpu and vif. These accessory genes are responsible for the regulation of HIV replication. Recent advances in our understanding of the function(s) of these genes have illustrated the complex interplay between HIV, the infected cell and the host. In addition, identification of cellular proteins interacting with accessory gene products have provided new tools to study cellular processes. The topic of this review, nef, has been shown in vitro to induce the cell surface downregulation of CD4, the receptor for HIV, to enhance the infectivity of HIV particles and to associate with at least one cellular serine/threonine kinase. In vivo, Nef is essential for the efficient virus replication responsible for disease progression. In this review, several prominent aspects of Nef function are discussed including its effect on CD4 trafficking, on signaling pathways and on virus infectivity enhancement. Copyright 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel

Expression of HIV-1 nef decreases basal phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase activity

CEM lymphoid cells expressing high levels of HIV-1 nef protein displayed a significant decrease in basal phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (P13-kinase) activity associated with immunoprecipitates with anti-p85 regulatory subunit. In contrast, chronically infected U937 monocytic cells displayed a significant increase in basal P13-kinase activity in cells infected with HIV-1 nef compared to those infected with isogenic HIV-1 nef+. These findings suggest that HIV-1-nef expression is accompanied by a decrease in basal intracellular phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase activity and suggest that P13-kinase could be important for HIV-1 replication. Moreover, wortmannin, a potent in-vitro phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase inhibitor, can inhibit HIV-1 replication in U937 chronically infected cells. Together these results suggest a correlation between P13-kinase activity and HIV-1 replication.

Binding of HIV-1 Nef to a novel thioesterase enzyme correlates with Nef-mediated CD4 down-regulation

Nef is a 27-kDa myristoylated protein conserved in primate lentiviruses. In vivo, simian immunodeficiency virus Nef is required in macaques to produce a high viral load and full pathological effects. Nef has at least three major effects in vitro, induction of CD4 down-regulation, alteration of T cell activation pathways, and enhancement of viral infectivity. We have used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify cellular proteins that interact with HIV-1Lai Nef and could mediate Nef function. A human cDNA was isolated that encodes a new type of thioesterase, an enzyme that cleaves thioester bonds. This novel thioesterase is unlike the animal types I and II thioesterases previously cloned but is homologous to the Escherichia coli thioesterase II. Nef and this thioesterase interact in vitro and are co-immunoprecipitated by anti-Nef antibodies in CEM cells expressing Nef. Nef alleles from human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) isolates unable to down-regulate CD4 do not react or react poorly with thioesterase. An HIV-1 NefLai mutant selected for its lack of interaction with thioesterase was also unable to down-regulate CD4 cell-surface expression. These observations suggest that this human thioesterase is a cellular mediator of Nef-induced CD4 down-regulation.

Solution structure of a polypeptide from the N terminus of the HIV protein Nef

Nef is a 27 kDa myristylated phosphoprotein expressed early in infection by HIV. The N terminus of Nef is thought to play a vital role in the functions of this protein through its interactions with membrane structures. The solution structure of a 25-residue polypeptide corresponding to the N terminus of Nef (Nef1-25) has been investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. In aqueous solution at pH 4.8 and 281 K, this peptide underwent conformational averaging, with Pro13 existing in cis and trans conformations in nearly equal proportions. In methanol solution, however, the peptide adopted a well-defined alpha-helical structure from residues 6 to 22, with the N- and C-terminal regions having a less ordered structure. On the basis of a comparison of chemical shifts and NOEs, it appeared that this helical structure was maintained in aqueous trifluoroethanol (50% v/v) and to a lesser extent in a solution of SDS micelles. When the N-acetyl group was replaced by either an N-myristyl or a free ammonium group, there was little effect on the three-dimensional structure of the peptide in methanol; deamidation of the C terminus also had no effect on the structure in methanol. In water, the myristylated peptide aggregated. The similarity between the sequences of Nef1-25 and melittin is reflected in the similar structures of the two molecules, although the N-terminal helix of melittin is more defined. This similarity in structure raises the possibility that Nef1-25 not only interacts with membranes but also may be capable of disrupting them and causing cell lysis. This type of interaction could contribute at least in part to the killing of bystander cells in lymphoid tissues during HIV infection.

Protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of HIV-I nef in human cell lines

Stable human cell lines expressing the human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) Nef protein from inducible promoters were used to analyze the phosphorylation status of Nef in vivo. Nef phosphorylation in both HeLa and Jurkat cells was stimulated by phorbol ester treatment. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed a predominance of phosphoserine with a small proportion of phosphothreonine. Treatment of cells with selective protein kinase inhibitors revealed that Nef phosphorylation was markedly reduced by bisindolylmaleimide, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, but was unaffected by inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase or cAMP-dependent kinase. These data implicate protein kinase C in Nef phosphorylation in vivo, and thus confirm and extend earlier in vitro data. Phosphorylation of a nonmyristoylated Nef mutant was impaired, suggesting that membrane targeting of Nef was required for phosphorylation. This was expected given that activated protein kinase C translocates from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. However, analysis of the subcellular localization of phosphorylated wild-type Nef revealed that both the cytosolic and membrane-associated pools of Nef were phosphorylated to an equivalent extent. Thus the significance of myristoylation for Nef function may be in influencing protein conformation, although these data could be explained by a transient and dynamic interaction between myristoylated Nef and the plasma membrane.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef does not alter T-cell sensitivity to antigen-specific stimulation

We have developed an in vitro model to study the influence that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may have on the ability of T cells to respond to antigenic challenge. We have examined consequences of HIV-1 gene expression on T-cell activation in antigen-dependent T cells that have stably integrated copies of replication-defective proviral HIV-1. Virus production by HIV-infected, antigen-dependent T cells was induced in response to antigenic stimulation and then decreased as infected cells returned to a state of quiescence. Contrary to the predictions of models proposing that Nef alters signal transduction pathways in T lymphocytes and thereby alters cellular activation, Nef expression in antigen-dependent T-cell clones did not influence their proliferative responses to low or intermediate concentrations of antigen and did not affect other measures of T-cell activation, such as induction of interleukin 2 receptor alpha-chain expression and cytokine production. In addition, we found no evidence for alteration of T-cell responsiveness to antigen by the gag, pol, vif, tat, or rev gene of HIV-1.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection abolishes CD4-dependent activation of ZAP-70 by inhibition of p56lck

The effect of early human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection in vitro on proximal signal transduction events in primary peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated with respect to CD4-mediated costimulation of CD3/T cell-receptor signalling. Tyrosine phosphorylation profiles induced by CD4 and CD3 + CD4 ligation were profoundly abrogated in virally infected cells, although CD4 receptor expression remained intact during early infection. Furthermore, the association of the tyrosine kinase p56lck with the CD4 receptor was reduced in virally infected cells. The downmodulation of CD4-mediated CD3 signalling coincided with the subsequent inhibition of the activity and tyrosine phosphorylation of the downstream kinase ZAP-70 in virally infected cells. The observed virally mediated cosignalling defects during early infection may account for the inhibition of distal signal events and thus contribute to HIV pathogenesis, such as reduced immune response to antigenic exposure, anergy, and apoptosis.

The N-terminus of Nef from HIV-1/SIV associates with a protein complex containing Lck and a serine kinase

The Nef protein of human and primate lentiviruses is a key factor in HIV/SIV pathogenesis. Here we report that Nef associates with two different kinases, forming a multiprotein complex at the far N-terminus of the viral protein. One of the kinases was identified as Lck, whereas the second protein was found to be a serine kinase that phosphorylated Nef and Lck in vitro and could be discriminated from the serine kinase identified previously. The Nef-associated kinase complex (NAKC) was demonstrated in COS cells, in HIV-infected cells, and in vitro using recombinant Lck and Nef proteins. Deletion of a short amphipathic alpha-helix in the N-terminus, which was found to be conserved in all Nef proteins, inhibited association of the NAKC and significantly reduced virion infectivity.

The HIV-1 Nef protein acts as a connector with sorting pathways in the Golgi and at the plasma membrane

The HIV Nef protein down-regulates the cell surface expression of CD4 and of MHC I at least in part through accelerated endocytosis. To investigate further the mechanism of this effect, we created chimeric integral membrane proteins comprising the extracellular and transmembrane regions of CD4 or CD8 and Nef as the cytoplasmic domain. These fusion molecules could down-modulate CD4 in trans in a dileucine-dependent manner. Furthermore, in spite of lacking receptor-derived internalization signals, the Nef-containing chimeras underwent both Golgi retention and rapid endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits. Taken together, these data suggest that Nef down-regulates CD4 and probably MHC I by physically connecting these receptors with sorting pathways in the Golgi and at the plasma membrane.

Activation of PAK by HIV and SIV Nef: importance for AIDS in rhesus macaques

BACKGROUND

The primate lentiviruses, human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), encode a conserved accessory gene product, Nef. In vivo, Nef is important for the maintenance of high virus loads and progression to AIDS in SIV-infected adult rhesus macaques. In tissue culture cells expressing Nef, this viral protein interacts with a cellular serine kinase, designated Nef-associated kinase.

RESULTS

This study identifies the Nef-associated kinase as a member of the p21-activated kinase (PAK) family of kinases and investigates the role of this Nef-associated kinase in vivo. Mutants of Nef that do not associate with the cellular kinase are unable to activate the PAK-related kinase in infected cells. To determine the role of cellular kinase association in viral pathogenesis, macaques were infected with SIV containing point-mutations in Nef that block PAK activation. Virus recovered at early time points after inoculation with mutant virus was found to have reverted to prototype Nef function and sequence. Reversion of the kinase-negative mutant to a kinase-positive genotype in macaques infected with the mutant virus preceded the induction of high virus loads and disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Nef associates with and activates a PAK-related kinase in lymphocytes infected in vitro. Moreover, the Nef-mediated activation of a PAK-related kinase correlates with the induction of high virus loads and the development of AIDS in the infected host. These findings reveal that there is a strong selective pressure in vivo for the interaction between Nef and the PAK-related kinase.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef binds directly to Lck and mitogen-activated protein kinase, inhibiting kinase activity

It is now well established that human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) Nef contributes substantially to disease pathogenesis by augmenting virus replication and markedly perturbing T-cell function. The effect of Nef on host cell activation could be explained in part by its interaction with specific cellular proteins involved in signal transduction, including at least a member of the src family kinase, Lck, and the serine/threonine kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Recombinant Nef directly interacted with purified Lck and MAPK in coprecipitation experiments and binding assays. A proline-rich repeat sequence [(Pxx)4] in Nef occurring between amino acid residues 69 to 78 is highly conserved and bears strong resemblance to a defined consensus sequence identified as an SH3 binding domain present in several proteins which can interact with the SH3 domain of various signalling and cytoskeletal proteins. Binding and coprecipitation assays with short synthetic peptides corresponding to the proline-rich repeat sequence [(Pxx)4] of Nef and the SH2, SH3, or SH2 and SH3 domains of Lck revealed that the interaction between these two proteins is at least in part mediated by the proline repeat sequence of Nef and the SH3 domain of Lck. In addition to direct binding to full-length Nef, MAPK was also shown to bind the same proline repeat motif. Nef protein significantly decreased the in vitro kinase activity of Lck and MAPK. Inhibition of key members of signalling cascades, including those emanating from the T-cell receptor, by the HIV-1 Nef protein undoubtedly alters the ability of the infected T cell to respond to antigens or cytokines, facilitating HIV-1 replication and contributing to HIV-1-induced disease pathogenesis.

The CD4 determinant for downregulation by HIV-1 Nef directly binds to Nef. Mapping of the Nef binding surface by NMR

Using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that a 13-residue peptide (MS-QIKRLLSEKKT) from the cytoplasmic tail of CD4 binds to Nef protein. This part of CD4 is critical for downregulation of CD4 by HIV-1 Nef [Aiken et al. (1994) Cell 76, 853-864]. We show that a control peptide without the central dileucine does not bind to Nef. The dependence of Nef 1H and 15N amide chemical shifts on peptide concentration indicates that the binding is in the fast chemical exchange limit, with a dissociation constant Kd of approximately 1 mM. The peptide binding site has been mapped onto the previously determined solution structure of HIV-1 Nef [Grzesiek et al. (1996) Nat. Struct. Biol. 3, 340-345] on the basis of peptide-induced chemical shift changes. It comprises amino acids W57, L58, E59, G95, G96, L97, R106, and L110. When Nef is complexed to the SH3 domain of Hck tyrosine protein kinase, the peptide binds to the same site on Nef but with slightly higher affinity (Kd approximately 0.5 mM). This indicates that the binding of CD4 and Hck SH3 to Nef are two compatible and slightly cooperative events.

Evidence for intact CD28 signaling in T cell hyporesponsiveness induced by the HIV-1 nef gene

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 is associated with quantitative and qualitative T cell alterations that severely impair the host's immune defense system. The molecular basis for this immunosuppression remains unclear. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from patients show markedly decreased interleukin (IL)-2 secretion but unaffected or even increased T helper (Th)2 cytokine production. T cell functional defects were recently reported to correlate more with T cell receptor (TcR) signaling, whereas signals provided by ligation of co-receptors CD27 and CD28 appeared to be preserved. Among the various mechanisms proposed to be involved in HIV-1-induced T cell dysfunction, we and others have reported that the nef gene product exhibited significant immunosuppressive activity. By using an inducible stably integrated nef gene, we demonstrated that Nef specifically down-regulated IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gama produced upon TcR triggering. Here, using the same experimental system, we extended our initial observations to additional mitogenic signals, and investigated the co-stimulatory function of CD28. Nef down-regulated IL-2, but not IL-4 produced upon induction by combinations of mitogens that mimicked TcR signals together with CD28 mAb or CD28's natural ligand (CD80 and CD86). However, the co-signals provided by CD28 to up-regulate IL-2 induction were unaffected by Nef, since IL-2 produced by nef-transfected cells was proportionally enhanced to the same extent as that of control cells, either upon stimulation by the CD28 mAb or CD80 and CD86. In addition, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase recruitment induced upon CD28 triggering was also found to be unaltered by nef expression. Together with the observation that similar levels of the Nef protein were detected in nef-transfected cells and upon infection of PBMC, these data suggest a selective immunosuppression induced by nef in human T cells by altering TcR signaling without detectable impact on CD28 co-receptor function. These data agree with the T cell defects observed in PBMC isolated from HIV-infected individuals.

Detection of intracellular signal transduction molecules in PBMC from rhesus macaques and sooty mangabeys

One of the manifestations of human HIV-1 and nonhuman primate SIV infection that lead to disease is reasoned to be secondary to generalized T-cell dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms associated with the T-cell dysfunction remain to be elucidated. To address this issue, we sought to utilize the nonhuman primate model to study intracellular signaling events in cells from disease-susceptible rhesus macaques and disease-resistant sooty mangabeys. Because relatively little is known about these events in nonhuman primates, our laboratory defined optimal conditions, reagents, and assays for the study of signal transduction events in cells from nonhuman primates. The protein phosphorylation patterns in the two monkeys exhibited quantitative, qualitative, and kinetic differences. Antibodies to Stat6 detected a unique band in macaque cell lysates. This band is markedly decreased human cell lysates and never seen in mangabey cell lysates. Detection of various other intracellular signaling proteins is also described.