We have studied the assembly of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-I) G
ag-B-galactosidase (Gag-B-gal; GBG) fusion proteins into HIV particles
in the presence of HIV Gag proteins. Release of fusion proteins from
cells was measured by assay of media versus cellular B-gal activities
and was dependent on co-expression of unfused Gag proteins. Gag-B-gal
incorporation into virus particles was demonstrated by detergent treat
ment and density gradient fractionation studies and was dependent on p
rotein-protein interactions requiring the C-terminal two-thirds of the
HIV CA domain. The central MA domain appeared unimportant for fusion
protein incorporation; a nonmyristylated GBG protein was incorporated
but at a relatively reduced level, while the NC and p6 domains slightl
y affected the assembly of fusion proteins into particles. Subcellular
fractionation studies showed that all fusion proteins including the n
onmyristylated one were enriched in the cytoplasmic pellet fraction. H
owever, assembly into particles did not correlate with subcellular fra
ctionation patterns. Similarly, virion incorporation levels of Gag-B-g
al proteins did not correlate with their immunofluorescence localizati
on patterns. However, we observed that while most fusion proteins disp
layed a perinuclear ring with heterogeneous staining throughout cells,
short fusion proteins appeared enriched on the intracellular membrane
s, and fusion proteins with intact MA but deleted NC domains showed an
enhanced surface staining without a clear perinuclear ring. Altogethe
r, our data suggest that the CA domain is the primary determinant for
assembly of HIV fusion proteins into virus particles. (C) 1994 Academi
c Press, Inc.