Expression of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) envelope gene products transcribed from a heterologous promoter: Kinetics of HIV-1 envelope processing in transfected cells

Abstract

The expression of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein products was studied in cells transfected with env gene constructs transcribed from an SV40 promoter. Gene constructs possessing the complete tat, rev (tat+ rev+) and env genes were transiently expressed in COS-1 cells as precursor SU-TM (gp160), SU·TM (gp120·41), and nucleolar rev protein. In addition, envelope glycoprotein was detected on the surface of those transfected COS-1 cells expressing abundant levels of env protein. Transfected constructs possessing a mutated tat translational initiation codon (tat- rev+) were expressed in COS-1 cells with at least a 10-fold increase in the level of envelope glycoprotei..