HIV-1 Nef synergizes with APOL1-G1 to induce nephrocyte cell death in HIV-related kidney diseases.

ABSTRACT: People carrying two APOL1 risk alleles (RA) - G1 or G2 - are at greater risk of developing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). However, it remains unclear whether the encoded protein(s) (APOL1-RA) and HIV-1 Nef interact to induce podocyte cell death. Here, we generated transgenic flies that express APOL1-G1 (derived from a child with HIVAN) and HIV-1 nef specifically in the nephrocytes, the fly equivalent of mammalian podocytes, and assessed their individual and combined effects on the nephrocyte filtration structure and function. We found that HIV-1 Nef acts in synergy with APOL1-G1, resulting in nephrocyte structural and functional defects, and that Nef exacerbates the organelle acidification defects and autophagy reduction induced by APOL1-G1. The synergy

SUBMITTER: Zhu JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12352291 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature