An unconventional BST-2 function: down-regulation of transient protein expression

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2014 Aug 8;450(4):1469-74. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.07.022. Epub 2014 Jul 11.

Abstract

While viral inhibition by tethering of budding virions to host cell membranes has been focused upon as one of the main functions of BST-2/tetherin, BST-2 is thought to possess other functions as well. Overexpression of BST-2 was found here to down-regulate transient protein expression. Removal of the N- and C-terminal regions of BST-2, previously described to be involved in signal transduction, reduced the impact of BST-2. These results suggest that BST-2-mediated signaling may play a role in regulating the levels of transiently expressed proteins, highlighting a new function for BST-2 that may also have implications for viral inhibition.

Keywords: BST-2; Influenza virus; Protein expression; Reverse genetics; Tetherin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Dogs
  • Down-Regulation*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / physiology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • BST2 protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger