Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) (transactivator of transcription (Tat)) protein is a pleiotropic factor that induces a broad range of biological effects in numerous cell types. At the HIV promoter, Tat is a powerful transactivator of gene expression, which acts by both inducing chromatin remodeling and by recruiting elongation-competent transcriptional complexes onto the viral LTR. Besides these transcriptional activities, Tat is released outside the cells and interacts with different cell membrane-associated receptors. Finally, extracellular Tat can be internalized by cells through an active endocytosis process. Here we discuss some of the molecular mechanisms involved in intracellular and extracellular Tat function.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 57-65 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | FEMS Microbiology Letters |
Volume | 220 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 14 2003 |
Keywords
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- Lambda phage
- Pathogenesis
- Transactivation
- Transactivator of transcription
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Microbiology