A Biological "Arms Race": APOBEC3F Diversity and its Influence on Lentiviral Resistance

Authors

  • Allyson Tank

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6017/eurj.v11i2.9064

Keywords:

Fall 2015, natural science, biology

Abstract

Restriction factors are implemented in long-term evolutionary "arms races," in which viral antagonists drive the evolution of host proteins, and vice versa. Consequently, restriction factors are remarkably variable, displaying polymorphism within species and divergence between species as a result of positive selection. This paper investigates diversity in the APOBEC3F (A3F) restriction factors of Old World primates in order to determine whether they display evidence of involvement in an evolutionary "arms race." We speculated that genetic variability in A3F could reflect evolutionary conflict with the VIF proteins of primate lentiviruses, which are known to enhance viral replication by binding and degrading host A3 proteins. A3Fs of several Old World primate species were genotyped, and the sequences revealed both intra-spcies diversity and inter-species divergence. Representative rhesus macaque (macaca mulatta) sequences were cloned and tested for sensitivity to VIFs from various simin immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). Evolution of A3F in the rhesus lineage is not due to selection by SIVs, but may reflect antagonism by another retrovirus.

Author Biography

Allyson Tank

Allyson Tank grew up in Long Valley, NJ. She studies Biology at Boston College, and was part of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciecnes Honors Program as well as the Biology Department Honors Program. Through these programs, she had the opportunity to complete a senior thesis on her research project in Dr. Welkin Johnson's laboratory. OUtside of her research, she also enjoyed volunteering at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Mt. Alvernia Elementary School. After graduation, she will be working for a year as a Patient Care Coordinator at a local dermatology practice and beginning her applications for medical school.

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Published

2015-11-18

How to Cite

Tank, A. (2015). A Biological "Arms Race": APOBEC3F Diversity and its Influence on Lentiviral Resistance. Elements, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.6017/eurj.v11i2.9064

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Section

Articles