Distinct Export Pathway Utilized by the Hepatitis B Virus Posttranscriptional Regulatory Element

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1999-07, Vol.259 (2), p.299-304
• Main Authors: Zang, Wei-Qing, Benedict Yen, T.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Biological Transport; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Gene Products, rev - metabolism; GTP-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B virus - genetics; Hepatitis B virus - metabolism; Humans; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; Plasmids - genetics; ran GTP-Binding Protein; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA, Viral - genetics; RNA, Viral - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vesicular stomatitis virus; Viral Proteins - metabolism
• ISSN: 0042-6822; 1096-0341
• DOI: 10.1006/viro.1999.9777

The posttranscriptional regulatory element (PRE) of hepatitis B virus is an RNA element important for the export of viral mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The cellular export pathway utilized by the PRE is controversial. We present data showing that PRE-dependent export is blocked by vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein, an inhibitor of all cellular RNA export other than tRNA export. It is also blocked by a mutated form of Ran-binding protein 1, which blocks export mediated by the human immunodeficiency virus Rev and Rev-response element (RRE) but not export mediated by the simian retrovirus constitutive transport element (CTE). On the other hand, PRE-dependent export is not blocked by either TAgRex or leptomycin B, two agents that prevent Rev/RRE-mediated export. Therefore, PRE appears to utilize an export pathway different from that of Rev/RRE or CTE.