Primary sooty mangabey simian immunodeficiency virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 2 nef alleles modulate cell surface expression of various human receptors and enhance viral infectivity and replication.

ABSTRACT: The nef gene of the pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) mac239 clone has been well characterized. Little is known, however, about the function of nef alleles derived from naturally SIVsm-infected sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) and from human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2)-infected individuals. Addressing this, we demonstrate that, similarly to the SIVmac239 nef, primary SIVsm and HIV-2 nef alleles down-modulate cell surface expression of human CD4, CD28, CD3, and class I or II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I or MHC-II, respectively) molecules, up-regulate surface expression of the invariant chain (Ii) associated with immature MHC-II, inhibit early T-cell activation events, and enhance virion infectivity. Both also stimulate viral replication, although HIV-2 nef

SUBMITTER: Munch J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1182674 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature