查看文章

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a complex retrovirus encoding regulatory and accessory genes in four open reading frames (ORF I to IV) of the pX region. Emerging evidence indicates an important role for the pX ORF I-encoded accessory protein p12^I in viral replication, but its contribution to viral pathogenesis remains to be defined. p12^I is a conserved, membrane-associated protein containing four SH3-binding motifs (PXXP). Its interaction with the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor β- and γ-chains implies an involvement of p12^I in intracellular signaling pathways. In addition, we have demonstrated that expression of pX ORF I p12^I is essential for persistent infection in rabbits. In contrast, standard in vitro systems have thus far failed to demonstrate a contribution of p12^I to viral infectivity and ultimately cellular transformation. In this study we developed multiple in vitro coculture assays to evaluate the role of …