A fluorescent Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV) has been developed which remains infectious at similar levels to WT HIV. This tool can be used for visualizing the spread of virus for research as well as a potent protein delivery mechanism.

Insertion of outside proteins into viral genomes, such as fluorescent proteins used for studying the viral life cycle, often limits virus functionality and infectivity. HIV is particularly genetically delicate and has not yet been made fluorescent while maintaining wild-type capabilities.

A fully functional fluorescent HIV vector that assembles, buds, and matures similarly to the parental non-modified HIV has been designed. Traditionally, insertion of fluorescent proteins anywhere between MA and NC domains of Gag is detrimental for optimal Gag/Gag-Pol assembly, and therefore for virion yield production and qualitative virion maturation. The fully infectious fluorescent HIV construct incorporates fluorescent proteins between the nucleocapsid and spacer peptide 2 domains of Gag. Importantly, the vector is capable of budding and maturation similarly to the parental virus and the fluorescent protein is released from the Gag polypeptide during maturation. The vector allows both visualization of the full HIV life cycle using fluorescence microscopy as well as exploiting HIV as a carrier for direct proteins processing and delivery, potentially as a therapeutic.

Proof of Concept

• Enables efficient protein expression and delivery.
• Replicates with the same efficiency as the wild type virus.
• Increases diagnostic capabilities by tracing HIV infection.

Bendjennat M, Saffarian S. Fluorescent Protein Inserts in between NC and SP2 are Tolerated for Assembly, Release and Maturation of HIV with Limited Infectivity. Viruses. 2019;11(11):973. Published 2019 Oct 23. doi:10.3390/v11110973

Aaron Duffy
(801) 585-1377
aaron.duffy@utah.edu