Regulatory elements in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat LTR (HIV-1) responsive to steroid hormone stimulation.

Within the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provirus there exists a steroid hormone-responsive element corresponding to the TGTTCT sequence identified as the glucocorticoid receptor binding element within the LTR of mouse mammary tumor virus. We have used an LTR(HIV-1)-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) plasmid construct to transfect infected H9V3 and noninfected H9 cells. Four hours before harvest the cells were divided into two parts and half was treated with hydrocortisone (10(-7) M). The cells were harvested and washed, and the CAT activity was measured. In eight repeat experiments an increased expression of the CAT gene has consistently been observed in H9V3 cells in response to the glucocorticoid but no significant effect of the steroid was observed in noninfected cells. Double transfection of LTR(HIV-1)-TAT and LTR(HIV-1)-CAT into noninfected H9 cells results in a cell population in which the CAT gene was responsive to glucocorticoid stimulation. A time course and dose response for the steroid effect have been determined and the binding of steroid receptor fo the LTR-DNA characterized by gel retardation experiments.