INDUCED GENE-EXPRESSION OF THE HYPUSINE-CONTAINING PROTEIN EUKARYOTICINITIATION-FACTOR 5A IN ACTIVATED HUMAN T-LYMPHOCYTES

The hypusine-containing protein eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5 A) is a cellular cofactor critically required for the function of the Rev transactivator protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV -1). eIF-5A localizes in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of m ammalian cells, suggesting possible activities on the level of regulat ed mRNA transport and/or protein translation. In this report we show t hat eIF-5A gene expression is constitutively low but inducible with T- lymphocyte-specific stimuli in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell s (PBMCs) of healthy individuals. In contrast, eIF-5A is Constitutivel y expressed at high levels in human cell lines as well as in various h uman organs. Comparison of eIF-5A levels in the PBMCs of uninfected an d HIV-1-infected donors shows a significant upregulation of eIF-5A gen e expression in the PBMCs of HIV-1 patients, compatible with a possibl e role of eIF-5A in HIV-1 replication during T-cell activation.