Ring finger protein 39 genetic variants associate with HIV-1 plasma viral loads and its replication in cell culture.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) exploits host proteins to complete its life cycle. Genome-wide siRNA approaches suggested that host proteins affect HIV-1 replication. However, the results barely overlapped. RING finger protein 39 (RNF39) has been identified from genome-wide association studies. However, its function during HIV-1 replication remains unclear.

Methods and results

We investigated the relationship between common RNF39 genetic variants and HIV-1 viral loads. The effect of RNF39 protein knockdown or overexpression on HIV-1 replication was then investigated in different cell lines. Two genetic variants were associated with HIV-1 viral loads. Patients with the ht1-GG/GG haplotype presented lower RNF39 expression levels and lower HIV-1 viral load.

SUBMITTER: Lin YJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4131809 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature