C. Magin et al., Corf, the Rev/Rex homologue of HTDV/HERV-K, encodes an arginine-rich nuclear localization signal that exerts a trans-dominant phenotype when mutated, VIROLOGY, 274(1), 2000, pp. 11-16
Regulation of nucleo-cytoplasmic export of viral transcripts by a viral pro
tein (Rev/Rex) is a characteristic feature in the replication cycle of comp
lex retroviruses. We recently reported that the endogenous retrovirus famil
y HTDV/HERV-K encodes a protein, Corf, that is a cellular Counterpart of Re
v/Rex function and thus a new component of nucleo-cytoplasmic pathways. In
HTDV/HERV-K-expressing cells, Corf is localized within the nucleoli. Here w
e describe the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of the Corf protein. Mutat
ions in the NLS lead to cytoplasmic accumulation of the mutated protein and
abrogate Corf function in a trans-dominant way. (C) 2000 Academic Press.