HIV-1 Vpr: A Novel Role in Regulating RNA Splicing

Zhang, Xianfeng
Aida, Yoko

¹Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan;
²Viral Infectious Diseases Unit, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan

^*Address correspondence to this author at the Viral Infectious Diseases Unit, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Tel: +81-48-462-4408; Fax: +81-48-462-4399; E-mail: [email protected]

Received: September 6, 2008

Accepted: September 6, 2008

Current HIV Research 7(2):p 163-168, 2009.

Abstract:

Pre-mRNA splicing is a critical step in gene expression for metazoans. Several viral proteins regulate the splicing of pre-mRNAs through complex interactions with the host cell RNA splicing machinery. Here, we focus on a novel function of HIV-1 Vpr, which selectively inhibits cellular and viral pre-mRNA splicing via interactions with components of the spliceosome complex. This review discusses our current knowledge of how RNA splicing regulation is accomplished by Vpr-host factor interactions.