Viral-host interactions that control HIV-1 transcriptional elongation

Abstract

Regulation of the pause and elongation by ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase II (Pol II) is used widely by metazoans to attain the pattern of gene expression that is essential for optimal cell growth/renewal, differentiation, and stress response. Currently, much of what we know about Pol II elongation control comes from pioneering studies of the HIV-1-encoded transactivating (Tat) protein and its host cellular cofactors. The interaction between the two fuels a powerful feedback circuit that activates human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transcription and prevents the virus from entering latency. One of the key Tat cofactors is the human positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which exists in a family of complexes with distinct functions during Tat transactivation. This article reviews recent progress in HIV transcription research with an emphasis on the intricate control of the various P-TEFb complexes, structural and functional insights into their interactions with Tat, the multifaceted roles of posttranslational modifications of Tat, and epigenetic control of HIV chromatin in modulating Tat activity and HIV latency. The knowledge from these studies will not only help the design of better strategies to fight HIV infection and transcriptional latency, but also advance the overall understanding of the mechanism controlling transcriptional elongation in general.