The role of PML in anti-retroviral innate immunity (New)

The PML (promyelocytic leukemia) protein, also called TRIM19, is an interferon-induced antiviral factor. It directs the formation of nuclear bodies that are rich in heavily SUMOylated proteins and are often associated with viral replication sites. PML can “silence” (prevent the expression of) several viruses, including retroviruses, and its action is often counteracted by viral proteins.
We have recently set up a murine model to study the role of PML in the restriction (inhibition) of retroviral replication. By examining specific steps of the replication of HIV-1 and other retroviruses in cells isolated from wild-type or from PML-knockout mice, we can identify and characterize the effect of PML on pre- and post-integration steps.
An manuscript is in preparation, and I expect that this project will expand. By 2015, we will be conducint mechanistic studies, including:
– Microscopic analyses of PML-viral DNA co-localization
– Biochemical analyses of the physical interactions between PML, or cellular proteins found at PML bodies, with retroviral proteins and genomic DNA.
– Development of in vivo models to test the importance of PML in restricting a retrovirus.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lionel Berthoux

Student:

PEARL CHERRY

Partner:

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

University:

Program:

Globalink