Activation of HIV-1 expression and replication by cGMP dependent protein kinase type 1-beta (PKG1beta)

The effect of cGMP (cyclic GMP) dependent protein kinase 1-beta (PKG1-beta) and cGMP analogues on transcriptional activity and replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was investigated. Transfection of PKG1beta expression plasmid increased expression from an HIV-1 LTR-reporter as well as from an infectious HIV-1 molecular clone, pNL4-3. Treatment of HIV-1 AD8-infected monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs) with cGMP agonists and cGMP antagonists caused respectively increased and decreased virus replication. These findings provide evidence that cGMP and PKG serve to regulate HIV-1 infection in human cells.