Journal News

Small protein plays a big role in viral battles

Anna Crysler
April 30, 2024

Extracellular vesicles, or EVs, play an important role in communication among cells. Almost all cells can release EVs, which carry content that varies according to the cell type. In response to viruses, immune cells will release EVs containing information that can help the body fight viral replication and infection. But what happens when a complex pathogen hijacks this system?

HIV accessory protein negative regulatory factor
Boghog/Wikimedia Commons
The HIV accessory protein negative regulatory factor, illustrated here, allows easier viral replication and spread in host cells.

Luis daSilva’s research group at the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto studies the endomembrane system of cells with particular interest in the molecular mechanisms of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Viruses can take advantage of this system and impair the immune system’s ability to prevent infection. Researchers have thoroughly studied and characterized HIV’s specific proteins, and they recognize HIV accessory proteins as important virulence factors for HIV-1 pathogenesis.

In a recent paper in Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, the daSilva group writes about their work studying the HIV accessory protein negative regulatory factor, or Nef, in the context of EVs. Nef allows easier viral replication and spread in host cells, and it also modifies the host’s EVs. The authors investigated the impact of this manipulation by Nef through a proteomic analysis of EVs derived from lymphocytes known as T cells.

Mara Elisama da Silva Januário is the first author of the paper. “Our study unveils the influence of Nef on the protein content of EVs released from T lymphocytes, cells that play a major role in the body’s defense,” she said. “Our recent findings highlight Nef as a global modulator of EV proteome.”

Specifically, Nef downregulates proteins in EVs that are important in the body’s antiviral response to HIV-1, including interferon-induced transmembrane proteins, or IFITMs. When IFITMs are reduced in EVs, key antiviral activities are mitigated. These proteins are among several whose expression is disrupted by Nef in HIV-1 infection. 

The researchers found that Nef could modify the levels of more than 35% of the proteins identified in EVs, and among the decreased proteins were three members of the IFITM family. These proteins are pivotal in the body’s antiviral response against viruses including Zika, dengue, influenza and HIV. 

“By decoding these intricate cellular dialogues, our work contributes a small but significant piece to the broader narrative of scientific discovery surrounding HIV-1 infection, offering potential avenues for advancements in medical interventions,” da Silva Januário said.

Unraveling the biological significance of altered proteins in EVs in relation to viral infection and replication are important next steps, she said. “We anticipate that further exploration in this direction will provide valuable insights for the field, shedding light on the intricate processes influenced by Nef and contributing to a deeper understanding of the broader implications for viral dynamics.”

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.

Learn more
Anna Crysler

Anna Crysler holds a B.A. in biochemistry from Albion College and is a is a Ph.D. student in bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an ASBMB Today volunteer contributor.

Related articles

From the journals: MCP
Meric Ozturk
From the journals: MCP
Vanshika Patel
From the journals: MCP
Krishnakoli Adhikary
From the Journals: JBC
Ken Farabaugh
From the journals: MCP
Ankita Arora

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Science

Science highlights or most popular articles

CRISPR epigenome editor offers potential neurodevelopmental gene therapies
News

CRISPR epigenome editor offers potential neurodevelopmental gene therapies

April 25, 2025

Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, created a system to modify the methylation patterns in neurons. They presented their findings at ASBMB 2025.

Finding a symphony among complex molecules
Profile

Finding a symphony among complex molecules

April 23, 2025

MOSAIC scholar Stanna Dorn uses total synthesis to recreate rare bacterial natural products with potential therapeutic applications.

E-cigarettes drive irreversible lung damage via free radicals
Journal News

E-cigarettes drive irreversible lung damage via free radicals

April 17, 2025

E-cigarettes are often thought to be safer because they lack many of the carcinogens found in tobacco cigarettes. However, scientists recently found that exposure to e-cigarette vapor can cause severe, irreversible lung damage.

Using DNA barcodes to capture local biodiversity
ASBMB Annual Meeting

Using DNA barcodes to capture local biodiversity

April 15, 2025

Undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Barbara, leads citizen science initiative to engage the public in DNA barcoding to catalog local biodiversity, fostering community involvement in science.

Targeting Toxoplasma parasites and their protein accomplices
Journal News

Targeting Toxoplasma parasites and their protein accomplices

April 11, 2025

Researchers identify that a Toxoplasma gondii enzyme drives parasite's survival. Read more about this recent study from the Journal of Lipid Research.

Scavenger protein receptor aids the transport of lipoproteins
Journal News

Scavenger protein receptor aids the transport of lipoproteins

April 11, 2025

Scientists elucidated how two major splice variants of scavenger receptors affect cellular localization in endothelial cells. Read more about this recent study from the Journal of Lipid Research.