HIV-1 Tat regulates the expression of the dcw operon and stimulates the proliferation of bacteria. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Jinsong; Zhang, Yumin; Knapp, Pamela E.; Zhao, Tianyong
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 90(2016)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: HIV-1 Tat -- Bacteria growth -- dcw operon; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: Infections of pathogenic bacteria are very common in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. However, the biological effects of HIV-1 Tat on bacteria are incompletely understood. In this study, HIV-1 Tat was expressed in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA01) to investigate its biological effects on bacteria. Bacterial cells expressing either HIV-1 Tat1-86 (Tat1-86 ) or HIV-1 Tat1-72 (Tat1-72 ) grow significantly faster than those with either only an empty vector or an unrelated control (GFP or Rluc). Supplementation of purified HIV-1 Tat1-86 or Tat1-101 protein into bacterial culture medium stimulated the growth of both E . coli and PA01. The expression profile of certain cell division-associated genes, such as those in the division cell wall ( dcw ) operon ( ftsA, ftsQ, ftsW and ftsZ ), yafO and zipA, was altered in HIV-1 Tat1-86 expressing E . coli BL21(DE3). Furthermore, the expression of firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene, when engineered for control by the dcw promoter and terminator, was enhanced by HIV-1 Tat in E . coli, confirming that HIV-1 Tat transcriptionally regulates the expression of the dcw operon. The finding that HIV-1 Tat stimulates bacterial growth whether it is produced intracellularly or applied extracellularly may have relevance for HIV patients who are highly susceptible to opportunistic bacterial infections. Contents category: Viruses –Retroviruses. The GenBank accession number for the sequence of HIV-1 Tat1-86 isAF324439.1 . Highlights: Endogenous HIV-1 Tat stimulates bacterial growth. Exogenous Tat1-86 and Tat1-101 stimulates bacterial growth. Genes related to cell division are regulated by HIV-1 Tat.