CpG Dinucleotides Inhibit HIV-1 Replication through Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein (ZAP)-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: CpG dinucleotides are suppressed in the genomes of many vertebrate RNA viruses, including HIV-1. The cellular antiviral protein ZAP (zinc finger antiviral protein) binds CpGs and inhibits HIV-1 replication when CpGs are introduced into the viral genome. However, it is not known if ZAP-mediated restriction is the only mechanism driving CpG suppression. To determine how CpG dinucleotides affect HIV-1 replication, we increased their abundance in multiple regions of the viral genome and analyzed the effect on RNA expression, protein abundance, and infectious-virus production. We found that the antiviral effect of CpGs was not correlated with their abundance. Interestingly, CpGs inserted into some regions of the genome sensitize the virus to ZAP antiviral activity more efficiently than insertio

SUBMITTER: Ficarelli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7158733 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature