Host protein Ku70 binds and protects HIV-1 integrase from proteasomal degradation and is required for HIV replication.

ABSTRACT: HIV-1 integrase (IN) is a key viral enzymatic protein acting in several viral replication steps, including integration. IN has been shown to be an unstable protein degraded by the N-end rule pathway through the host ubiquitin-proteasome machinery. However, it is still not fully understood how this viral protein is protected from the host ubiquitin-proteasome system within cells during HIV replication. In the present study, we provide evidence that the host protein Ku70 interacts with HIV-1 IN and protects it from the Lys(48)-linked polyubiquitination proteasomal pathway. Moreover, Ku70 is able to down-regulate the overall protein polyubiquitination level within the host cells and to specifically deubiquitinate IN through their interaction. Mutagenic studies revealed that the C terminus of

SUBMITTER: Zheng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3093848 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature