Chimeric proteins comprising a Vpr/Vpx virion incorporation domain for targeting into HIV-1 or HIV-2 virions

摘要

The present invention is directed toward chimeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and -2) proteins that are capable of being incorporated into the virion when expressed in trans. These chimeric proteins consist of a first portion comprising an HIV-1 or HIV-2 Vpr/Vpx virion incorporation domain which includes the predicted N-terminal alpha helix. This domain is capable of interacting with the p6 domain of the Pr55gag. The second portion of the chimera comprises a sequence containing RNase activity, protease activity, or a domain capable of inhibiting virion morphogenesis and assembly. The disclosed invention provides a chimera that affects the structural organization or functional integrity of the mature virion by enzymatic disturbance or steric hindrance of the virion.