Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

The human APOBEC3 (A3) family of proteins helps defend the body against a variety of viruses. These proteins are well-known for their ability to fight viruses on their own, without needing other molecules to help. However, it's not clear if the way these proteins interact with each other might change how well they can fight viruses. In this study, we looked at existing data to see which proteins interact with one member of the APOBEC3 family, APOBEC3G (A3G). We discovered that A3G interacts with another protein called ZAP, which stands for zinc-finger antiviral protein. ZAP helps protect cells by recognizing and binding to single-stranded RNA, such as that found in viruses. It works in several ways to stop the virus from reproducing, including breaking down the RNA and preventing it from being used to make new virus proteins. Both A3G and ZAP are known to interact with HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. ZAP reduces the amount of HIV-1, while A3G causes mutations in the HIV-1 genetic material. When used separately, A3G and ZAP each reduce HIV-1 at different stages of its life cycle. However, when both proteins are present together, they work even more effectively, significantly reducing the amount of infectious HIV-1. This suggests that when A3G and ZAP interact, they work together in a unique way to fight the virus, providing stronger protection than either protein on its own. We will explore how this combined action happens in more detail.