The IFITM proteins inhibit HIV-1 infection

J Virol. 2011 Mar;85(5):2126-37. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01531-10. Epub 2010 Dec 22.

Abstract

Type I interferon protects cells from virus infection through the induction of a group of genes collectively named interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In this study, we utilized short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to deplete ISGs in SupT1 cells in order to identify ISGs that suppress the production of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Among the ISG candidates thus identified were interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins, including IFITM1, IFITM2, and IFITM3, that potently inhibit HIV-1 replication at least partially through interfering with virus entry. Further mutagenesis analysis shows that the intracellular region, rather than the N- and C-terminal extracellular domains, is essential for the antiviral activity of IFITM1. Altogether, these data suggest that the IFITM proteins serve as important components of the innate immune system to restrict HIV-1 infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigens, Differentiation / chemistry
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation*
  • HIV Infections / genetics
  • HIV Infections / metabolism*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Virus Internalization
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • IFITM2 protein, human
  • IFITM3 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • leu-13 antigen