Characterization of the antiviral activity of BCA2

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PROJECT SUMMARY BCA2 (Breast Cancer-Associated gene 2, also known as RNF115, ZNF364 or Rabring7) is a cytoplasmic RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligase that is upregulated in most breast cancer cell lines in response to estrogen. A recent study showed that BCA2 interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of tetherin to promote the internalization and lysosomal degradation of tethered HIV-1 particles, and that the E3 ligase activity of BCA2 is dispensable to enhance the tetherin-mediated restriction of HIV-1. Therefore, BCA2 would act as a tetherin co-factor, lacking antiviral activity in cells that do not express tetherin. However, here we show that BCA2 inhibits virus production in a tetherin-independent manner by reducing the cellular levels of HIV-1 Gag, and that this activity requires the E3 ligase activity. Furthermore, we show that BCA2 physically interacts with Gag and promotes its ubiquitination, suggesting that BCA2 may be an innate antiviral factor that targets the Gag polyprotein for degradation, thereby, impeding virus assembly. We want to formally address this hypothesis by characterizing the molecular mechanisms of the antiviral activity of BCA2 (Specific Aim 1) and by identifying the molecules and cellular pathways that participate in the regulation of BCA2's activity (Specific Aim 2). A better understanding of the innate mechanisms that limit virus production will help in the elaboration of antiretroviral drugs to contain virus replication in affected individuals. Therefore, the objectives outlined here are directly relevant to identifying new targets for antiretroviral therapy to control HIV-1 infection.