Evidence that the retroviral DNA integration process triggers an ATR-dependent DNA damage response

Analysis of the Contribution of 6-mer Seed Toxicity to HIV-1-Induced Cytopathicity

HIV-1 (HIV) infects CD4+ T cells, the gradual depletion of which can lead to AIDS in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Some cells, however, survive HIV infection and persist as part of the latently infected reservoir that causes recurrent viremia after ART cessation. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of HIV-mediated cell death could lead to a way to clear the latent reservoir. Death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE), an RNA interference (RNAi)-based mechanism, kills cells through short RNAs (sRNAs) with toxic 6-mer seeds (positions 2 to 7 of sRNA). These toxic seeds target the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs, decreasing the expression of hundreds of genes critical for cell survival. In most cells under normal conditions, highly expressed cell-encoded nontoxic microRNAs (miRNAs) block access of toxic sRNAs to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) that mediates RNAi, promoting cell survival. HIV has been shown to inhibit the biogenesis of host miRNAs in multiple ways. We now report that HIV infection of cells deficient in miRNA expression or function results in enhanced RISC loading of an HIV-encoded miRNA HIV-miR-TAR-3p, which can kill cells by DISE through a noncanonical (positions 3 to 8) 6-mer seed. In addition, cellular RISC-bound sRNAs shift to lower seed viability. This also occurs after latent HIV provirus reactivation in J-Lat cells, suggesting independence of permissiveness of cells to viral infection. More precise targeting of the balance between protective and cytotoxic sRNAs could provide new avenues to explore novel cell death mechanisms that could be used to kill latent HIV. IMPORTANCE Several mechanisms by which initial HIV infection is cytotoxic to infected cells have been reported and involve various forms of cell death. Characterizing the mechanisms underlying the long-term survival of certain T cells that become persistent provirus reservoirs is critical to developing a cure. We recently discovered death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE), an RNAi-based mechanism of cell death whereby toxic short RNAs (sRNAs) containing 6-mer seed sequences (exerting 6-mer seed toxicity) targeting essential survival genes are loaded into RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) complexes, resulting in inescapable cell death. We now report that HIV infection in cells with low miRNA expression causes a shift of mostly cellular RISC-bound sRNAs to more toxic seeds. This could prime cells to DISE and is further enhanced by the viral microRNA (miRNA) HIV-miR-TAR-3p, which carries a toxic noncanonical 6-mer seed. Our data provide multiple new avenues to explore novel cell death mechanisms that could be used to kill latent HIV.

Schlafens Can Put Viruses to Sleep

The Schlafen gene family encodes for proteins involved in various biological tasks, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and T cell development. Schlafens were initially discovered in mice, and have been studied in the context of cancer biology, as well as their role in protecting cells during viral infection. This protein family provides antiviral barriers via direct and indirect effects on virus infection. Schlafens can inhibit the replication of viruses with both RNA and DNA genomes. In this review, we summarize the cellular functions and the emerging relationship between Schlafens and innate immunity. We also discuss the functions and distinctions of this emerging family of proteins as host restriction factors against viral infection. Further research into Schlafen protein function will provide insight into their mechanisms that contribute to intrinsic and innate host immunity.

Regulation of the Cell-Intrinsic DNA Damage Response by the Innate Immune Machinery

Maintenance of genomic integrity is crucial for cell survival. As such, elegant DNA damage response (DDR) systems have evolved to ensure proper repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and other lesions that threaten genomic integrity. Towards this end, most therapeutic studies have focused on understanding of the canonical DNA DSB repair pathways to enhance the efficacy of DNA-damaging therapies. While these approaches have been fruitful, there has been relatively limited success to date and potential for significant normal tissue toxicity. With the advent of novel immunotherapies, there has been interest in understanding the interactions of radiation therapy with the innate and adaptive immune responses, with the ultimate goal of enhancing treatment efficacy. While a substantial body of work has demonstrated control of the immune-mediated (extrinsic) responses to DNA-damaging therapies by several innate immune pathways (e.g., cGAS-STING and RIG-I), emerging work demonstrates an underappreciated role of the innate immune machinery in directly regulating tumor cell-intrinsic/cell-autonomous responses to DNA damage.

Predicted Cellular Interactors of the Endogenous Retrovirus-K Integrase Enzyme

Integrase (IN) enzymes are found in all retroviruses and are crucial in the retroviral integration process. Many studies have revealed how exogenous IN enzymes, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) IN, contribute to altered cellular function. However, the same consideration has not been given to viral IN originating from symbionts within our own DNA. Endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) is pathologically associated with neurological and inflammatory diseases along with several cancers. The ERVK IN interactome is unknown, and the question of how conserved the ERVK IN protein-protein interaction motifs are as compared to other retroviral integrases is addressed in this paper. The ERVK IN protein sequence was analyzed using the Eukaryotic Linear Motif (ELM) database, and the results are compared to ELMs of other betaretroviral INs and similar eukaryotic INs. A list of putative ERVK IN cellular protein interactors was curated from the ELM list and submitted for STRING analysis to generate an ERVK IN interactome. KEGG analysis was used to identify key pathways potentially influenced by ERVK IN. It was determined that the ERVK IN potentially interacts with cellular proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR), cell cycle, immunity, inflammation, cell signaling, selective autophagy, and intracellular trafficking. The most prominent pathway identified was viral carcinogenesis, in addition to select cancers, neurological diseases, and diabetic complications. This potentiates the role of ERVK IN in these pathologies via protein-protein interactions facilitating alterations in key disease pathways.

Antiviral immunity and nucleic acid sensing in haematopoietic stem cell gene engineering

The low gene manipulation efficiency of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) remains a major hurdle for sustainable and broad clinical application of innovative therapies for a wide range of disorders. Given that all current and emerging gene transfer and editing technologies are bound to expose HSPC to exogenous nucleic acids and most often also to viral vectors, we reason that host antiviral factors and nucleic acid sensors play a pivotal role in the efficacy of HSPC genetic manipulation. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of vector-host interactions and innate immunity in HSPC upon gene engineering and discuss how dissecting this crosstalk can guide the development of more stealth and efficient gene therapy approaches in the future.

Characterizing the antiviral effect of an ATR inhibitor on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication

In the search for new antiviral therapies against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), several cellular targets are being investigated. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) has been implicated in HIV-1 replication, namely during retroviral DNA integration. We studied the effect of the ATR inhibitor ETP-46464 on HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in the persistently HIV-1-infected cell line H61-D. After treatment with ETP-46464, a significant decrease in virus production was observed in both cell systems. Quantification of viral DNA forms in the acutely infected PBMCs suggests that inhibition could take place in the early phase of the viral life cycle before viral DNA integration. Moreover, after treatment of H61-D cells with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), which blocks new reverse transcription events, ETP-46464 decreased viral production, suggesting that inhibition of viral replication occurred in the late phase of the life cycle after viral DNA integration. A decrease in virus production after transfection of 293T cells with an HIV-1 infectious molecular clone also suggested that the effect of ETP-46464 is exerted at a post-integration step. We propose that ETP-46464 produces its inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication by acting in both the early and late phases of the retroviral replication cycle. Thus, ATR could represent a new target for inhibition of HIV-1 replication.

The free energy landscape of retroviral integration

Retroviral integration, the process of covalently inserting viral DNA into the host genome, is a point of no return in the replication cycle. Yet, strand transfer is intrinsically iso-energetic and it is not clear how efficient integration can be achieved. Here we investigate the dynamics of strand transfer and demonstrate that consecutive nucleoprotein intermediates interacting with a supercoiled target are increasingly stable, resulting in a net forward rate. Multivalent target interactions at discrete auxiliary interfaces render target capture irreversible, while allowing dynamic site selection. Active site binding is transient but rapidly results in strand transfer, which in turn rearranges and stabilizes the intasome in an allosteric manner. We find the resulting strand transfer complex to be mechanically stable and extremely long-lived, suggesting that a resolving agent is required in vivo.

Post-translational Modification-Based Regulation of HIV Replication

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) relies heavily on the host cellular machinery for production of viral progeny. To exploit cellular proteins for replication and to overcome host factors with antiviral activity, HIV has evolved a set of regulatory and accessory proteins to shape an optimized environment for its replication and to facilitate evasion from the immune system. Several cellular pathways are hijacked by the virus to modulate critical steps during the viral life cycle. Thereby, post-translational modifications (PTMs) of viral and cellular proteins gain increasingly attention as modifying enzymes regulate virtually every step of the viral replication cycle. This review summarizes the current knowledge of HIV-host interactions influenced by PTMs with a special focus on acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation of proteins linked to cellular signaling and viral replication. Insights into these interactions are surmised to aid development of new intervention strategies.

DNA damage induced by topoisomerase inhibitors activates SAMHD1 and blocks HIV-1 infection of macrophages

We report that DNA damage induced by topoisomerase inhibitors, including etoposide (ETO), results in a potent block to HIV-1 infection in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). SAMHD1 suppresses viral reverse transcription (RT) through depletion of cellular dNTPs but is naturally switched off by phosphorylation in a subpopulation of MDM found in a G1-like state. We report that SAMHD1 was activated by dephosphorylation following ETO treatment, along with loss of expression of MCM2 and CDK1, and reduction in dNTP levels. Suppression of infection occurred after completion of viral DNA synthesis, at the step of 2LTR circle and provirus formation. The ETO-induced block was completely rescued by depletion of SAMHD1 in MDM Concordantly, infection by HIV-2 and SIVsm encoding the SAMHD1 antagonist Vpx was insensitive to ETO treatment. The mechanism of DNA damage-induced blockade of HIV-1 infection involved activation of p53, p21, decrease in CDK1 expression, and SAMHD1 dephosphorylation. Therefore, topoisomerase inhibitors regulate SAMHD1 and HIV permissivity at a post-RT step, revealing a mechanism by which the HIV-1 reservoir may be limited by chemotherapeutic drugs.

Finding, Conducting, and Nurturing Science: A Virologist's Memoir

My laboratory investigations have been driven by an abiding interest in understanding the consequences of genetic rearrangement in evolution and disease, and in using viruses to elucidate fundamental mechanisms in biology. Starting with bacteriophages and moving to the retroviruses, my use of the tools of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics has spanned more than half a century-from the time when DNA structure was just discovered to the present day of big data and epigenetics. Both riding and contributing to the successive waves of technology, my laboratory has elucidated fundamental mechanisms in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. We have made substantial contributions in the area of retroviral oncogenesis, delineated mechanisms that control retroviral gene expression, and elucidated critical details of the structure and function of the retroviral enzymes-reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase-and have had the satisfaction of knowing that the fundamental knowledge gained from these studies contributed important groundwork for the eventual development of antiviral drugs to treat AIDS. While pursuing laboratory research as a principal investigator, I have also been a science administrator-moving from laboratory head to department chair and, finally, to institute director. In addition, I have undertaken a number of community service, science-related "extracurricular" activities during this time. Filling all of these roles, while being a wife and mother, has required family love and support, creative management, and, above all, personal flexibility-with not too much long-term planning. I hope that this description of my journey, with various roles, obstacles, and successes, will be both interesting and informative, especially to young female scientists.

Virion-Associated Vpr Alleviates a Postintegration Block to HIV-1 Infection of Dendritic Cells

Viral protein R (Vpr) is an HIV-1 accessory protein whose function remains poorly understood. In this report, we sought to determine the requirement of Vpr for facilitating HIV-1 infection of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs), one of the first cell types to encounter virus in the peripheral mucosal tissues. In this report, we characterize a significant restriction of Vpr-deficient virus replication and spread in MDDCs alone and in cell-to-cell spread in MDDC-CD4⁺ T cell cocultures. This restriction of HIV-1 replication in MDDCs was observed in a single round of virus replication and was rescued by the expression of Vpr in trans in the incoming virion. Interestingly, infections of MDDCs with viruses that encode Vpr mutants unable to interact with either the DCAF1/DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex or a host factor hypothesized to be targeted for degradation by Vpr also displayed a significant replication defect. While the extent of proviral integration in HIV-1-infected MDDCs was unaffected by the absence of Vpr, the transcriptional activity of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) from Vpr-deficient proviruses was significantly reduced. Together, these results characterize a novel postintegration restriction of HIV-1 replication in MDDCs and show that the interaction of Vpr with the DCAF1/DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and the yet-to-be-identified host factor might alleviate this restriction by inducing transcription from the viral LTR. Taken together, these findings identify a robust in vitro cell culture system that is amenable to addressing mechanisms underlying Vpr-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 replication.IMPORTANCE Despite decades of work, the function of the HIV-1 protein Vpr remains poorly understood, primarily due to the lack of an in vitro cell culture system that demonstrates a deficit in replication upon infection with viruses in the absence of Vpr. In this report, we describe a novel cell infection system that utilizes primary human dendritic cells, which display a robust decrease in viral replication upon infection with Vpr-deficient HIV-1. We show that this replication difference occurs in a single round of infection and is due to decreased transcriptional output from the integrated viral genome. Viral transcription could be rescued by virion-associated Vpr. Using mutational analysis, we show that domains of Vpr involved in binding to the DCAF1/DDB1/E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and prevention of cell cycle progression into mitosis are required for LTR-mediated viral expression, suggesting that the evolutionarily conserved G₂ cell cycle arrest function of Vpr is essential for HIV-1 replication.

Activation of the DNA Damage Response by RNA Viruses

RNA viruses are a genetically diverse group of pathogens that are responsible for some of the most prevalent and lethal human diseases. Numerous viruses introduce DNA damage and genetic instability in host cells during their lifecycles and some species also manipulate components of the DNA damage response (DDR), a complex and sophisticated series of cellular pathways that have evolved to detect and repair DNA lesions. Activation and manipulation of the DDR by DNA viruses has been extensively studied. It is apparent, however, that many RNA viruses can also induce significant DNA damage, even in cases where viral replication takes place exclusively in the cytoplasm. DNA damage can contribute to the pathogenesis of RNA viruses through the triggering of apoptosis, stimulation of inflammatory immune responses and the introduction of deleterious mutations that can increase the risk of tumorigenesis. In addition, activation of DDR pathways can contribute positively to replication of viral RNA genomes. Elucidation of the interactions between RNA viruses and the DDR has provided important insights into modulation of host cell functions by these pathogens. This review summarises the current literature regarding activation and manipulation of the DDR by several medically important RNA viruses.

Retroviral Integrase: Then and Now

The retroviral integrases are virally encoded, specialized recombinases that catalyze the insertion of viral DNA into the host cell's DNA, a process that is essential for virus propagation. We have learned a great deal since the existence of an integrated form of retroviral DNA (the provirus) was first proposed by Howard Temin in 1964. Initial studies focused on the genetics and biochemistry of avian and murine virus DNA integration, but the pace of discovery increased substantially with advances in technology, and an influx of investigators focused on the human immunodeficiency virus. We begin with a brief account of the scientific landscape in which some of the earliest discoveries were made, and summarize research that led to our current understanding of the biochemistry of integration. A more detailed account of recent analyses of integrase structure follows, as they have provided valuable insights into enzyme function and raised important new questions.

Cell cycle checkpoints and pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection: a brief overview

To understand HIV pathogenesis or development is no simple undertaking and neither is the cell cycle which is highly complex that requires the coordination of multiple events and machinery. It is interesting that these two processes are interrelated, intersect and interact as HIV-1 infection results in cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase which is accompanied by massive CD4+ T cell death. For its own benefit, in an impressive manner and with the overabundance of tactics, HIV maneuvers DNA damage responses and cell cycle check points for viral replication at different stages from infection, to latency and to pathogenesis. Although the cell cycle is the most critical aspect involved in both viral and cellular replication, in this review, our main focus is on recent developments, including our own observations in the field of cell cycle proteins, checkpoints and strategies utilized by the viruses to manipulate these pathways to promote their own replication and survival. We will also discuss the emerging concept of targeting the replication initiation machinery for HIV therapy.

Host Factors in Retroviral Integration and the Selection of Integration Target Sites

In order to replicate, a retrovirus must integrate a DNA copy of the viral RNA genome into a chromosome of the host cell. The study of retroviral integration has advanced considerably in the past few years. Here we focus on host factor interactions and the linked area of integration targeting. Genome-wide screens for cellular factors affecting HIV replication have identified a series of host cell proteins that may mediate subcellular trafficking for preintegration complexes, nuclear import, and integration target site selection. The cell transcriptional co-activator protein LEDGF/p75 has been identified as a tethering factor important for HIV integration, and recently, BET proteins (Brd2, 4, and 4) have been identified as tethering factors for the gammaretroviruses. A new class of HIV inhibitors has been developed targeting the HIV-1 IN-LEDGF binding site, though surprisingly these inhibitors appear to block assembly late during replication and do not act at the integration step. Going forward, genome-wide studies of HIV-host interactions offer many new starting points to investigate HIV replication and identify potential new inhibitor targets.

Retroviral DNA Transposition: Themes and Variations

Retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons are transposable elements that encapsidate the RNAs that are intermediates in the transposition of DNA copies of their genomes (proviruses), from one cell (or one locus) to another. Mechanistic similarities in DNA transposase enzymes and retroviral/retrotransposon integrases underscore the close evolutionary relationship among these elements. The retroviruses are very ancient infectious agents, presumed to have evolved from Ty3/Gypsy LTR retrotransposons (1), and DNA copies of their sequences can be found embedded in the genomes of most, if not all, members of the tree of life. All retroviruses share a specific gene arrangement and similar replication strategies. However, given their ancestries and occupation of diverse evolutionary niches, it should not be surprising that unique sequences have been acquired in some retroviral genomes and that the details of the mechanism by which their transposition is accomplished can vary. While every step in the retrovirus lifecycle is, in some sense, relevant to transposition, this Chapter focuses mainly on the early phase of retroviral replication, during which viral DNA is synthesized and integrated into its host genome. Some of the initial studies that set the stage for current understanding are highlighted, as well as more recent findings obtained through use of an ever-expanding technological toolbox including genomics, proteomics, and siRNA screening. Persistence in the area of structural biology has provided new insight into conserved mechanisms as well as variations in detail among retroviruses, which can also be instructive.

Role of DNA repair in host immune response and inflammation

In recent years, the understanding of how DNA repair contributes to the development of innate and acquired immunity has emerged. The DNA damage incurred during the inflammatory response triggers the activation of DNA repair pathways, which are required for host-cell survival. Here, we reviewed current understanding of the mechanism by which DNA repair contributes to protection against the oxidized DNA damage generated during infectious and inflammatory diseases and its involvement in innate and adaptive immunity. We discussed the functional role of DNA repair enzymes in the immune activation and the relevance of these processes to: transcriptional regulation of cytokines and other genes involved in the inflammatory response; V(D)J recombination; class-switch recombination (CSR); and somatic hypermutation (SHM). These three last processes of DNA damage repair are required for effective humoral adaptive immunity, creating genetic diversity in developing T and B cells. Furthermore, viral replication is also dependent on host DNA repair mechanisms. Therefore, the elucidation of the pathways of DNA damage and its repair that activate innate and adaptive immunity will be important for a better understanding of the immune and inflammatory disorders and developing new therapeutic interventions for treatment of these diseases and for improving their outcome.

Identification of molecular sub-networks associated with cell survival in a chronically SIVmac-infected human CD4+ T cell line

Background

The deciphering of cellular networks to determine susceptibility to infection by HIV or the related simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is a major challenge in infection biology.

Results

Here, we have compared gene expression profiles of a human CD4⁺ T cell line at 24 h after infection with a cell line of the same origin permanently releasing SIV_mac. A new knowledge-based-network approach (Inter-Chain-Finder, ICF) has been used to identify sub-networks associated with cell survival of a chronically SIV-infected T cell line. Notably, the method can identify not only differentially expressed key hub genes but also non-differentially expressed, critical, ‘hidden’ regulators. Six out of the 13 predicted major hidden key regulators were among the landscape of proteins known to interact with HIV. Several sub-networks were dysregulated upon chronic infection with SIV. Most prominently, factors reported to be engaged in early stages of acute viral infection were affected, e.g. entry, integration and provirus transcription and other cellular responses such as apoptosis and proliferation were modulated. For experimental validation of the gene expression analyses and computational predictions, individual pathways/sub-networks and significantly altered key regulators were investigated further. We showed that the expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the top hub in the affected protein-protein interaction network, was significantly upregulated in chronically SIV-infected CD4⁺ T cells. Cav-1 is the main determinant of caveolae and a central component of several signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, CD4 downregulation and modulation of the expression of alternate and co-receptors as well as pathways associated with viral integration into the genome were also observed in these cells. Putatively, these modifications interfere with re-infection and the early replication cycle and inhibit cell death provoked by syncytia formation and bystander apoptosis.

Conclusions

Thus, by using the novel approach for network analysis, ICF, we predict that in the T cell line chronically infected with SIV, cellular processes that are known to be crucial for early phases of HIV/SIV replication are altered and cellular responses that result in cell death are modulated. These modifications presumably contribute to cell survival despite chronic infection.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1743-422X-11-152) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

DNA damage enhances integration of HIV-1 into macrophages by overcoming integrase inhibition

Background

The prevention of persistent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection requires the clarification of the mode of viral transduction into resting macrophages. Recently, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were shown to enhance infection by D64A virus, which has a defective integrase catalytic activity (IN-CA). However, the mechanism by which DSBs upregulate viral transduction was unclear. Here we analyzed the roles of DSBs during IN-CA–independent viral transduction into macrophages.

Results

We used cellular systems with rare-cutting endonucleases and found that D64A virus integrated efficiently into the sites of artificially induced DSBs. This IN-CA-independent viral transduction was blocked by an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) but was resistant to raltegravir (RAL), an inhibitor of integrase activity during strand transfer. Moreover, Vpr, an accessory gene product of HIV-1, induced DSBs in resting macrophages and significantly enhanced the rate of IN-CA-independent viral transduction into macrophages with concomitant production of secondary viruses.

Conclusion

DSBs contribute to the IN-CA–independent viral infection of macrophages, which is resistant to RAL. Thus, the ATM-dependent cellular pathway and Vpr-induced DNA damage are novel targets for preventing persistent HIV-1 infection.

Interactions of host proteins with the murine leukemia virus integrase

Retroviral infections cause a variety of cancers in animals and a number of diverse diseases in humans such as leukemia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Productive and efficient proviral integration is critical for retroviral function and is the key step in establishing a stable and productive infection, as well as the mechanism by which host genes are activated in leukemogenesis. Host factors are widely anticipated to be involved in all stages of the retroviral life cycle, and the identification of integrase interacting factors has the potential to increase our understanding of mechanisms by which the incoming virus might appropriate cellular proteins to target and capture host DNA sequences. Identification of MoMLV integrase interacting host factors may be key to designing efficient and benign retroviral-based gene therapy vectors; key to understanding the basic mechanism of integration; and key in designing efficient integrase inhibitors. In this review, we discuss current progress in the field of MoMLV integrase interacting proteins and possible roles for these proteins in integration.

Genetic polymorphisms and cervical cancer development: ATM G5557A and p53bp1 C1236G

Persistent infections by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been established as the etiological agent of cervical cancer. The integration of the HPV genome into the host genome is a crucial step in cervical carcinogenesis, although, correct activation of DNA damage repair pathways will avoid the development of cancer. Recent data indicate that several polymorphisms of key regulators from the DNA damage repair pathway (i.e. 53BP1 and ATM) are associated with cancer development susceptibility. We have developed a hospital-based retrospective study considering 429 cervical specimens from women with different cervical lesions including invasive carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the ATM D1853N (5557G>A) and 53bp1 D353E (1236C>G) polymorphisms in the development of cervical cancer, using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Statistical analysis revealed that ATM 5557GG homozygous individuals (OR=1.94; p=0.044) are at increased risk of developing LSIL, while for the 53BP1 1236C>G polymorphism no association was found. Nevertheless, we observed a tendency for an increased risk of LSIL in 53BP1 1236C allele carriers (OR=1.63; p=0.069). Logistic regression adjusted for age revealed no significant differences from the non-adjusted analysis. This is the first study to evaluate the role of ATM G5557A and P53BP1 C1236G polymorphisms in cervical cancer susceptibility. This study reveals a possible trend of both polymorphisms for a genetic susceptibility pattern of cervical cancer development. Hence, our results may be of interest for future understanding of the progression of cervical cancer.

An E2F1-mediated DNA damage response contributes to the replication of human cytomegalovirus

DNA damage resulting from intrinsic or extrinsic sources activates DNA damage responses (DDRs) centered on protein kinase signaling cascades. The usual consequences of inducing DDRs include the activation of cell cycle checkpoints together with repair of the damaged DNA or induction of apoptosis. Many DNA viruses elicit host DDRs during infection and some viruses require the DDR for efficient replication. However, the mechanism by which DDRs are activated by viral infection is poorly understood. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection induces a DDR centered on the activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein kinase. Here we show that HCMV replication is compromised in cells with inactivated or depleted ATM and that ATM is essential for the host DDR early during infection. Likewise, a downstream target of ATM phosphorylation, H2AX, also contributes to viral replication. The ATM-dependent DDR is detected as discrete, nuclear γH2AX foci early in infection and can be activated by IE proteins. By 24 hpi, γH2AX is observed primarily in HCMV DNA replication compartments. We identified a role for the E2F1 transcription factor in mediating this DDR and viral replication. E2F1, but not E2F2 or E2F3, promotes the accumulation of γH2AX during HCMV infection or IE protein expression. Moreover, E2F1 expression, but not the expression of E2F2 or E2F3, is required for efficient HCMV replication. These results reveal a novel role for E2F1 in mediating an ATM-dependent DDR that contributes to viral replication. Given that E2F activity is often deregulated by infection with DNA viruses, these observations raise the possibility that an E2F1-mediated mechanism of DDR activation may be conserved among DNA viruses.

As intracellular parasites, viruses often redirect cellular pathways to facilitate their own replication. Infection by DNA viruses often lead to the activation of host DNA damage response pathways, which normally function to repair damage to host chromosomes. Some DNA viruses depend on this infection-induced DNA damage response to efficiently replicate. How infection activates the DNA damage response is poorly understood. To address this limitation, we first determined whether the DNA damage response affects the replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and then addressed how infection induces this response in cells. We find that HCMV infection results in a host DNA damage response centered on the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) protein kinase. We also show that HCMV requires ATM for efficient replication. Unexpectedly, we find that the mechanism responsible for ATM activation is the expression of E2F1, a cellular transcription factor. Moreover, expression of E2F1, like ATM, is required for HCMV replication. These observations may be of fundamental importance because infection by most DNA viruses result in both E2F1 expression and an ATM-mediated DNA damage response.

Identification of SNF2h, a chromatin-remodeling factor, as a novel binding protein of Vpr of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Vpr, an accessory gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, encodes a virion-associated nuclear protein that plays an important role in the primary viral infection of resting macrophages. It has a variety of biological functions, including roles in a cell cycle abnormality at G(2)/M phase, apoptosis, nuclear transfer of preintegration complex, and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), some of which depend on its association with the chromatin of the host cells. Given that DSB signals are postulated to be a positive factor in the viral infection, understanding the mode of chromatin recruitment of Vpr is important. Here, we identified SNF2h, a chromatin-remodeling factor, as a novel binding partner of Vpr involved in its chromatin recruitment. When endogenous SNF2h protein was extensively downregulated by SNF2h small interfering RNA (siRNA), the amount of Vpr loaded on chromatin decreased to about 30% of the control level. Biochemical analysis using a mutant Vpr suggested that Vpr binds SNF2h via HFRIG (amino acids 71-75 depicted by single letters) and the Vpr mutant lacking this motif lost the activity to induce DSB-dependent signals. Consistently, Vpr-induced DSBs were attenuated by extensive downregulaion of endogenous SNF2h. Based on these data, we discuss the role of DSB and DSB signals in the viral infection.

Genomes in conflict: maintaining genome integrity during virus infection

The cellular surveillance network for sensing and repairing damaged DNA prevents an array of human diseases, and when compromised it can lead to genomic instability and cancer. The carefully maintained cellular response to DNA damage is challenged during viral infection, when foreign DNA is introduced into the cell. The battle between virus and host generates a genomic conflict. The host attempts to limit viral infection and protect its genome, while the virus deploys tactics to eliminate, evade, or exploit aspects of the cellular defense. Studying this conflict has revealed that the cellular DNA damage response machinery comprises part of the intrinsic cellular defense against viral infection. In this review we examine recent advances in this emerging field. We identify common themes used by viruses in their attempts to commandeer or circumvent the host cell's DNA repair machinery, and highlight potential outcomes of the conflict for both virus and host.

A role for the histone deacetylase HDAC4 in the life-cycle of HIV-1-based vectors

HIV-1 integration is mediated by the HIV-1 integrase protein, which joins 3'-ends of viral DNA to host cell DNA. To complete the integration process, HIV-1 DNA has to be joined to host cell DNA also at the 5'-ends. This process is called post-integration repair (PIR). Integration and PIR involve a number of cellular co-factors. These proteins exhibit different degrees of involvement in integration and/or PIR. Some are required for efficient integration or PIR. On the other hand, some reduce the efficiency of integration. Finally, some are involved in integration site selection. We have studied the role of the histone deacetylase HDAC4 in these processes. HDAC4 was demonstrated to play a role in both cellular double-strand DNA break repair and transcriptional regulation. We observed that HDAC4 associates with viral DNA in an integrase-dependent manner. Moreover, infection with HIV-1-based vectors induces foci of the HDAC4 protein. The related histone deacetylases, HDAC2 and HDAC6, failed to associate with viral DNA after infection. These data suggest that HDAC4 accumulates at integration sites. Finally, overexpression studies with HDAC4 mutants suggest that HDAC4 may be required for efficient transduction by HIV-1-based vectors in cells that are deficient in other DNA repair proteins. We conclude that HDAC4 is likely involved in PIR.

DNA double strand break repair enzymes function at multiple steps in retroviral infection

BACKGROUND

DNA double strand break (DSB) repair enzymes are thought to be necessary for retroviral infection, especially for the post-integration repair and circularization of viral cDNA. However, the detailed roles of DSB repair enzymes in retroviral infection remain to be elucidated.

RESULTS

A GFP reporter assay showed that the infectivity of an HIV-based vector decreased in ATM- and DNA-PKcs-deficient cells when compared with their complemented cells, while that of an MLV-based vector was diminished in Mre11- and DNA-PKcs-deficient cells. By using a method based on inverse- and Alu-PCR, we analyzed sequences around 3' HIV-1 integration sites in ATM-, Mre11- and NBS1- deficient cells. Increased abnormal junctions between the HIV-1 provirus and the host DNA were found in these mutant cell lines compared to the complemented cell lines and control MRC5SV cells. The abnormal junctions contained two types of insertions: 1) GT dinucleotides, which are normally removed by integrase during integration, and 2) inserted nucleotides of unknown origin. Artemis-deficient cells also showed such abnormalities. In Mre11-deficient cells, part of a primer binding site sequence was also detected. The 5' host-virus junctions in the mutant cells also contained these types of abnormal nucleotides. Moreover, the host-virus junctions of the MLV provirus showed similar abnormalities. These findings suggest that DSB repair enzymes play roles in the 3'-processing reaction and protection of the ends of viral DNA after reverse transcription. We also identified both 5' and 3' junctional sequences of the same provirus by inverse PCR and found that only the 3' junctions were abnormal with aberrant short repeats, indicating that the integration step was partially impaired in these cells. Furthermore, the conserved base preferences around HIV-1 integration sites were partially altered in ATM-deficient cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DSB repair enzymes are involved in multiple steps including integration and pre-integration steps during retroviral replication.

Cell context-dependent involvement of ATR in early stages of retroviral replication

Retroviral DNA integration leaves behind a single-strand DNA discontinuity at each virus:host DNA junction. It has long been proposed that cellular proteins detect and repair the integrated DNA and that failure to do so might lead to apoptotic cell death, but their identity remains unknown. PIKK family members ATM, DNA-PKcs and ATR have all been proposed to be important for HIV-1 replication, but these findings turned out to be very controversial. In order to clarify their role in retroviral replication, we analyzed the effect of pharmacological inhibitors and of a dominant-negative version of ATR on the replication of retroviruses in cell lines relevant to HIV-1 infection. Our data show that ATR and probably other PIKKs as well are involved in retroviral replication in some but not all cell lines and that ATR increases the frequency of retroviral transduction by a mechanism other than the enhancement of infected cell survival.

HIV-1 Vpr triggers natural killer cell-mediated lysis of infected cells through activation of the ATR-mediated DNA damage response

Natural killer (NK) cells are stimulated by ligands on virus-infected cells. We have recently demonstrated that NK cells respond to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-infected autologous T-cells, in part, through the recognition of ligands for the NK cell activating receptor NKG2D on the surface of the infected cells. Uninfected primary CD4^pos T-cell blasts express little, if any, NKG2D ligands. In the present study we determined the mechanism through which ligands for NKG2D are induced on HIV-1-infected cells. Our studies reveal that expression of vpr is necessary and sufficient to elicit the expression of NKG2D ligands in the context of HIV-1 infection. Vpr specifically induces surface expression of the unique-long 16 binding proteins (ULBP)-1 and ULBP-2, but not ULBP-3, MHC class I-related chain molecules (MIC)-A or MIC-B. In these studies we also demonstrated that Vpr increases the level of ULBP-1 and ULBP-2 mRNA in primary CD4^pos T-cell blasts. The presence of ULBP-1 and ULBP-2 on HIV-1 infected cells is dependent on the ability of Vpr to associate with a protein complex know as Cullin 4a (Cul4a)/damaged DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) and Cul4a-associated factor-1(DCAF-1) E3 ubiquitin ligase (Cul4a^DCAF-1). ULBP-1 and -2 expression by Vpr is also dependent on activation of the DNA damage sensor, ataxia telangiectasia and rad-3-related kinase (ATR). When T-cell blasts are infected with a vpr-deficient HIV-1, NK cells are impaired in killing the infected cells. Thus, HIV-1 Vpr actively triggers the expression of the ligands to the NK cell activation receptor.

Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune response against virus infection and cancer. Recently we demonstrated that ligands for the NK cell activation receptor, NKG2D, trigger NK cell-mediated response to infected cells. These ligands are expressed on HIV-1-infected cells and not on uninfected cells. Despite the observation that NKG2D ligands are expressed on infected cells, it is unclear how HIV-1 induces their expression. In the present study, we demonstrate that HIV induces the ligands of the NKG2D receptor through the viral gene product Vpr. Vpr triggers a DNA damage response in infected cells, which in turn, increases virus production. We also demonstrate that by blocking the activity of ATR, a major component in the DNA damage response, we were able to prevent NKG2D ligand expression. When Vpr was removed from the virus genome, NK cells lost their ability to lyse the HIV-infected cells. Thus, HIV-1 actively triggers NK cells through the activity of its viral gene product, Vpr.

Viral manipulation of DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoints

Recognition and repair of DNA damage is critical for maintaining genomic integrity and suppressing tumorigenesis. In eukaryotic cells, the sensing and repair of DNA damage are coordinated with cell cycle progression and checkpoints, in order to prevent the propagation of damaged DNA. The carefully maintained cellular response to DNA damage is challenged by viruses, which produce a large amount of exogenous DNA during infection. Viruses also express proteins that perturb cellular DNA repair and cell cycle pathways, promoting tumorigenesis in their quest for cellular domination. This review presents an overview of strategies employed by viruses to manipulate DNA damage responses and cell cycle checkpoints as they commandeer the cell to maximize their own viral replication. Studies of viruses have identified key cellular regulators and revealed insights into molecular mechanisms governing DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoints, and transformation.

Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated-Rad3-related DNA damage checkpoint signaling pathway triggered by hepatitis B virus infection

AIM: To explore whether acute cellular DNA damage response is induced upon hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the effects of the HBV infection.

METHODS: We incubated HL7702 hepatocytes with HBV-positive serum, mimicking a natural HBV infection process. We used immunoblotting to evaluate protein expression levels in HBV-infected cells or in non-infected cells; immunofluorescence to show ATR foci ands Chk1 phosphorylation foci formation; flow cytometry to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis; ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ionizing radiation (IR)-treated cells to mimic DNA damage; and Trypan blue staining to count the viable cells.

RESULTS: We found that HBV infection induced an increased steady state of ATR protein and increased phosphorylation of multiple downstream targets including Chk1, p53 and H2AX. In contrast to ATR and its target, the phosphorylated form of ATM at Ser-1981 and its downstream substrate Chk2 phosphorylation at Thr-68 did not visibly increase upon infection. However, the level of Mre11 and p21 were reduced beginning at 0.5 h after HBV-positive serum addition. Also, HBV infection led to transient cell cycle arrest in the S and the G2 phases without accompanying increased apoptosis. Research on cell survival changes upon radiation following HBV infection showed that survival of UV-treated host cells was greatly increased by HBV infection, owing to the reduced apoptosis. Meanwhile, survival of IR-treated host cells was reduced by HBV infection.

CONCLUSION: HBV infection activates ATR DNA damage response to replication stress and abrogates the checkpoint signaling controlled by DNA damage response.

Cellular DNA repair cofactors affecting hepatitis B virus infection and replication

AIM: To investigate whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection activates DNA damage response and DNA repair cofactors inhibit HBV infection and replication.

METHODS: Human hepatocyte cell line HL7702 was studied. Immunoblotting was performed to test the expression of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)-Rad3-related protein (ATR), p21 and the level of phosphorylation of Chk1, p53, H2AX, ATM in HBV-infected or non-infected-cells. Special short RNAi oligos was transfected to induce transient ATR knockdown in HL7702. ATR-ATM chemical inhibitors caffeine (CF) and theophylline (TP), or Chk1 inhibitor 7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN01) was studied to determine whether they suppress cellular DNA damage response and MG132 inhibits proteasome.

RESULTS: The ATR checkpoint pathway, responding to single-strand breaks in DNA, was activated in response to HBV infection. ATR knockdown cells decreased the HBV DNA yields, implying that HBV infection and replication could activate and exploit the activated DNA damage response. CF/TP or UCN01 reduced the HBV DNA yield by 70% and 80%, respectively. HBV abrogated the ATR-dependent DNA damage signaling pathway by degrading p21, and introduction of the p21 protein before HBV infection reduced the HBV DNA yield. Consistent with this result, p21 accumulation after MG132 treatment also sharply decreased the HBV DNA yield.

CONCLUSION: HBV infection can be treated with therapeutic approaches targeting host cell proteins by inhibiting a cellular gene required for HBV replication or by restoring a response abrogated by HBV, thus providing a potential approach to the prevention and treatment of HBV infection.

Critical involvement of the ATM-dependent DNA damage response in the apoptotic demise of HIV-1-elicited syncytia

DNA damage can activate the oncosuppressor protein ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), which phosphorylates the histone H2AX within characteristic DNA damage foci. Here, we show that ATM undergoes an activating phosphorylation in syncytia elicited by the envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in vitro. This was accompanied by aggregation of ATM in discrete nuclear foci that also contained phospho-histone H2AX. DNA damage foci containing phosphorylated ATM and H2AX were detectable in syncytia present in the brain or lymph nodes from patients with HIV-1 infection, as well as in a fraction of blood leukocytes, correlating with viral status. Knockdown of ATM or of its obligate activating factor NBS1 (Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 protein), as well as pharmacological inhibition of ATM with KU-55933, inhibited H2AX phosphorylation and prevented Env-elicited syncytia from undergoing apoptosis. ATM was found indispensable for the activation of MAP kinase p38, which catalyzes the activating phosphorylation of p53 on serine 46, thereby causing p53 dependent apoptosis. Both wild type HIV-1 and an HIV-1 mutant lacking integrase activity induced syncytial apoptosis, which could be suppressed by inhibiting ATM. HIV-1-infected T lymphoblasts from patients with inactivating ATM or NBS1 mutations also exhibited reduced syncytial apoptosis. Altogether these results indicate that apoptosis induced by a fusogenic HIV-1 Env follows a pro-apoptotic pathway involving the sequential activation of ATM, p38MAPK and p53.

Expression levels of the human DNA repair protein metnase influence lentiviral genomic integration

We recently identified a Transposase domain protein called Metnase, which assists in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) via non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), and is important for foreign DNA integration into a host cell genome. Since integration is essential for productive lentiviral infection we examined whether Metnase expression levels could have an influence on lentiviral genomic integration. Using cells stably transduced to either over- or under-express Metnase we determined that the expression level of Metnase did indeed correlate with live lentiviral integration. Changes in Metnase levels were accompanied by changes in the number of copies of integrated lentiviral cDNA. While Metnase levels affected lentiviral integration, it had no effect on the amount of either total cellular viral RNA, cDNA or 2-LTR circles. Therefore, Metnase enhances the integration of lentivirus DNA into the host cell genome.

Relief of preintegration inhibition and characterization of additional blocks for HIV replication in primary mouse T cells

Development of a small animal model to study HIV replication and pathogenesis has been hampered by the failure of the virus to replicate in non-primate cells. Most studies aimed at achieving replication in murine cells have been limited to fibroblast cell lines, but generating an appropriate model requires overcoming blocks to viral replication in primary T cells. We have studied HIV-1 replication in CD4(+) T cells from human CD4/CCR5/Cyclin T1 transgenic mice. Expression of hCD4 and hCCR5 in mouse CD4(+) T cells enabled efficient entry of R5 strain HIV-1. In mouse T cells, HIV-1 underwent reverse transcription and nuclear import as efficiently as in human T cells. In contrast, chromosomal integration of HIV-1 proviral DNA was inefficient in activated mouse T cells. This process was greatly enhanced by providing a secondary T cell receptor (TCR) signal after HIV-1 infection, especially between 12 to 24 h post infection. This effect was specific for primary mouse T cells. The pathways involved in HIV replication appear to be PKCtheta-, CARMA1-, and WASp-independent. Treatment with Cyclosporin A (CsA) further relieved the pre-integration block. However, transcription of HIV-1 RNA was still reduced in mouse CD4(+) T cells despite expression of the hCyclin T1 transgene. Additional post-transcriptional defects were observed at the levels of Gag expression, Gag processing, Gag release and virus infectivity. Together, these post-integration defects resulted in a dramatically reduced yield of infectious virus (300-500 fold) after a single cycle of HIV-1 replication. This study implies the existence of host factors, in addition to those already identified, that are critical for HIV-1 replication in mouse cells. This study also highlights the differences between primary T cells and cell lines regarding pre-integration steps in the HIV-1 replication cycle.

Evidence that the Nijmegen breakage syndrome protein, an early sensor of double-strand DNA breaks (DSB), is involved in HIV-1 post-integration repair by recruiting the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated kinase in a process similar to, but distinct from, cellular DSB repair

Retroviral transduction involves integrase-dependent linkage of viral and host DNA that leaves an intermediate that requires post-integration repair (PIR). We and others proposed that PIR hijacks the host cell double-strand DNA break (DSB) repair pathways. Nevertheless, the geometry of retroviral DNA integration differs considerably from that of DSB repair and so the precise role of host-cell mechanisms in PIR remains unclear. In the current study, we found that the Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 protein (NBS1), an early sensor of DSBs, associates with HIV-1 DNA, recruits the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase, promotes stable retroviral transduction, mediates efficient integration of viral DNA and blocks integrase-dependent apoptosis that can arise from unrepaired viral-host DNA linkages. Moreover, we demonstrate that the ATM kinase, recruited by NBS1, is itself required for efficient retroviral transduction. Surprisingly, recruitment of the ATR kinase, which in the context of DSB requires both NBS1 and ATM, proceeds independently of these two proteins. A model is proposed emphasizing similarities and differences between PIR and DSB repair. Differences between the pathways may eventually allow strategies to block PIR while still allowing DSB repair.

Pentoxifylline suppresses transduction by HIV-1-based vectors

Pentoxifylline, a caffeine-related compound, was shown to suppress human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. This effect is thought to be mediated by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-mediated long-terminal repeat (LTR)-driven expression. We now demonstrate that pentoxifylline efficiently inhibits transduction by HIV-1-based vectors. This latter effect is independent of LTR-driven expression, and correlates with a reduced efficiency of the completion of the integration process in infected cells. Finally, the effect of pentoxifylline is dramatically reduced in cells expressing a dominant negative ATR protein, and in primary human cells that exhibit low level of ATR activity, suggesting that the effect of pentoxifylline on HIV-1 transduction and replication is at least partly mediated by suppression of the ATR kinase.

S-phase checkpoint pathways stimulate the mobility of the retrovirus-like transposon Ty1

The mobility of the Ty1 retrotransposon in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is restricted by a large collection of proteins that preserve the integrity of the genome during replication. Several of these repressors of Ty1 transposition (Rtt)/genome caretakers are orthologs of mammalian retroviral restriction factors. In rtt/genome caretaker mutants, levels of Ty1 cDNA and mobility are increased; however, the mechanisms underlying Ty1 hypermobility in most rtt mutants are poorly characterized. Here, we show that either or both of two S-phase checkpoint pathways, the replication stress pathway and the DNA damage pathway, partially or strongly stimulate Ty1 mobility in 19 rtt/genome caretaker mutants. In contrast, neither checkpoint pathway is required for Ty1 hypermobility in two rtt mutants that are competent for genome maintenance. In rtt101delta mutants, hypermobility is stimulated through the DNA damage pathway components Rad9, Rad24, Mec1, Rad53, and Dun1 but not Chk1. We provide evidence that Ty1 cDNA is not the direct target of the DNA damage pathway in rtt101delta mutants; instead, levels of Ty1 integrase and reverse transcriptase proteins, as well as reverse transcriptase activity, are significantly elevated. We propose that DNA lesions created in the absence of Rtt/genome caretakers trigger S-phase checkpoint pathways to stimulate Ty1 reverse transcriptase activity.

Ku80 participates in the targeting of retroviral transgenes to the chromatin of CHO cells

The heterodimer Ku70/80 Ku is the DNA-binding component of the DNA-PK complex required for the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. It participates in numerous nuclear processes, including telomere and chromatin structure maintenance, replication, and transcription. Ku interacts with retroviral preintegration complexes and is thought to interfere with the retroviral replication cycle, in particular the formation of 2-long terminal repeat (LTR) viral DNA circles, viral DNA integration, and transcription. We describe here the effect of Ku80 on both provirus integration and the resulting transgene expression in cells transduced with retroviral vectors. We found that transgene expression was systematically higher in Ku80-deficient xrs6 cells than in Ku80-expressing CHO cells. This higher expression was observed irrespective of the presence of the viral LTR and was also not related to the nature of the promoter. Real-time PCR monitoring of the early viral replicative steps demonstrated that the absence of Ku80 does not affect the efficiency of transduction. We analyzed the transgene distributions localization in nucleus by applying a three-dimensional reconstruction model to two-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization images. This indicated that the presence of Ku80 resulted in a bias toward the transgenes being located at the periphery of the nucleus associated with their being repressed; in the absence of this factor the transgenes tend to be randomly distributed and actively expressed. Therefore, although not strictly required for retroviral integration, Ku may be involved in targeting retroviral elements to chromatin domains prone to gene silencing.

HIV-1 integration is inhibited by stimulation of the VPAC2 neuroendocrine receptor

Successful HIV-1 infection requires a number of specific stages leading to integration of the provirus. We previously suggested that members of the VPAC neuroendocrine receptor family may play a role in HIV-1 infection. We now show that stimulation of the VPAC2 receptor with specific agonists provides strong resistance to HIV-1 infection. Daily stimulation of VPAC2, but not VPAC1 or PAC1, resulted in up to 90% inhibition of X4 or R5 productive infections in either cell lines or PBMCs. VPAC2 agonist stimulation had no effect on cell surface co-receptors, the rate of apoptotic cells, or HIV-1 entry or reverse transcription of viral RNA. However, we provide evidence that VPAC2-specific agonists inhibit HIV-1 infection through an inhibitory effect on the ability of the HIV-1 cDNA to integrate into the host DNA. These data reveal that VPAC2 agonists are appropriate candidates for further study as possible treatments aimed at the amelioration of HIV/AIDS.

Host factors exploited by retroviruses

Retroviruses make a long and complex journey from outside the cell to the nucleus in the early stages of infection, and then an equally long journey back out again in the late stages of infection. Ongoing efforts are identifying an enormous array of cellular proteins that are used by the viruses in the course of their travels. These host factors are potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Using or abusing: viruses and the cellular DNA damage response

During infection, viruses attempt to hijack the cell while the host responds with various defense systems. Traditional defenses include the interferon response and apoptosis, but recent work suggests that this antiviral arsenal also includes the cellular DNA damage response machinery. The observation of interactions between viruses and cellular DNA repair proteins has not only uncovered new complexities of the virus-host interaction but is also reinforcing the view that viruses can reveal key regulators of cellular pathways through the proteins they target.

Human cytomegalovirus disrupts both ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM)- and ATM-Rad3-related kinase-mediated DNA damage responses during lytic infection

Many viruses (herpes simplex virus type 1, polyomavirus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1) require the activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) and/or Mre11 for a fully permissive infection. However, the longer life cycle of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may require more specific interactions with the DNA repair machinery to maximize viral replication. A prototypical damage response to the double-stranded ends of the incoming linear viral DNA was not observed in fibroblasts at early times postinfection (p.i.). Apparently, a constant low level of phosphorylated ATM was enough to phosphorylate its downstream targets, p53 and Nbs1. p53 was the only cellular protein observed to relocate at early times, forming foci in infected cell nuclei between 3.5 and 5.5 h p.i. Approximately half of these foci localized with input viral DNA, and all localized with viral UL112/113 prereplication site foci. No other DNA repair proteins localized with the virus or prereplication foci in the first 24 h p.i. When viral replication began in earnest, between 24 and 48 h p.i., there were large increases in steady-state levels and phosphorylation of many proteins involved in the damage response, presumably triggered by ATM-Rad3-related kinase activation. However, a sieving process occurred in which only certain proteins were specifically sequestered into viral replication centers and others were particularly excluded. In contrast to other viruses, activation of a damage response is neither necessary nor detrimental to infection, as neither ATM nor Mre11 was required for full virus replication and production. Thus, by preventing simultaneous relocalization of all the necessary repair components to the replication centers, HCMV subverts full activation and completion of both double-stranded break and S-phase checkpoints that should arrest all replication within the cell and likely lead to apoptosis.

Strategies for identification of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase, which catalyzes the joining of viral DNA to the host cell DNA, has attracted considerable attention as a target for the design and screening of novel anti-HIV drugs as it is essential for virus replication and the establishment of persistent infection. Progress in the identification of different classes of compounds that block integrase activity has been summarized recently in several excellent reviews. Here, we present a brief overview of integrase inhibition, highlighting some of the unusual properties of this protein and important considerations in searching for potential new inhibitors and their evaluation.

HIV-1 Vpr induces ATM-dependent cellular signal with enhanced homologous recombination

An ATM-dependent cellular signal, a DNA-damage response, has been shown to be involved during infection of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), and a high incidence of malignant tumor development has been observed in HIV-1-positive patients. Vpr, an accessory gene product of HIV-1, delays the progression of the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and ATR-Chk1-Wee-1, another DNA-damage signal, is a proposed cellular pathway responsible for the Vpr-induced cell cycle arrest. In this study, we present evidence that Vpr also activates ATM, and induces expression of gamma-H2AX and phosphorylation of Chk2. Strikingly, Vpr was found to stimulate the focus formation of Rad51 and BRCA1, which are involved in repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR), and biochemical analysis revealed that Vpr dissociates the interaction of p53 and Rad51 in the chromatin fraction, as observed under irradiation-induced DSBs. Vpr was consistently found to increase the rate of HR in the locus of I-SceI, a rare cutting-enzyme site that had been introduced into the genome. An increase of the HR rate enhanced by Vpr was attenuated by an ATM inhibitor, KU55933, suggesting that Vpr-induced DSBs activate ATM-dependent cellular signal that enhances the intracellular recombination potential. In context with a recent report that KU55933 attenuated the integration of HIV-1 into host genomes, we discuss the possible role of Vpr-induced DSBs in viral integration and also in HIV-1 associated malignancy.

DNA damage: a trigger of innate immunity but a requirement for adaptive immune homeostasis

Chromosome breakage is frequently associated with viral infection and cellular transformation, but it is also required for two processes that are crucial for the development and function of adaptive immunity: V(D)J recombination and class-switch recombination. The cellular responses that result from this type of DNA damage, which are mostly activated by the protein kinase ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), lead to cell-cycle arrest at several checkpoints and efficient DNA repair. This Review focuses on the important roles of these DNA-damage responses in the activation of innate immunity and the targeting of the innate immune response to infected or transformed cells, as well as in the development and function of adaptive immunity.