The cellular factors Vps18 and Mon2 are required for efficient production of infectious HIV-1 particles

J Virol. 2011 Jun;85(11):5618-27. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00846-10. Epub 2011 Mar 30.

Abstract

Like all viruses, HIV-1 requires cellular host factors for replication. The mechanisms for production of progeny virions involving these host factors, however, are not fully understood. To better understand these mechanisms, we used a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) genetic screen to identify mutant strains in which HIV-1 Gag targeting to the plasma membrane was aberrant. Of the 917 mutants identified, we selected 14 mutants whose missing genes had single orthologous counterparts in human and tested them for Gag-induced viruslike particle (VLP) release in yeast cells. We found that the Vps18 and Mon2 proteins were important for HIV-1 Gag-induced VLP release in yeast. In eukaryote cells, these host proteins are highly conserved and function in protein trafficking. Depletion of hVps18 or hMon2 reduced the efficient production of infectious HIV-1 virions in human cells. Our data suggest that these cellular factors play an important role in the efficient production of infectious HIV-1 virion particles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • HIV-1 / growth & development*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Protein Transport
  • Proton-Translocating ATPases / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virosomes / metabolism
  • Virus Replication
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism

Substances

  • MON2 protein, human
  • VPS18 protein, human
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • Virosomes
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Proton-Translocating ATPases