Quantification of the HIV transcriptional activator complex in live cells by image-based protein-protein interaction analysis.

The virus-encoded Tat protein is essential for HIV transcription in infected cells. The interaction of Tat with the cellular transcription elongation factor P-TEFb (positive transcriptional elongation factor b) containing cyclin T1 (CycT1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is critical for its activity. In this study, we use the Fluoppi (fluorescent-based technology detecting protein-protein interaction) system, which enables the quantification of interactions between biomolecules, such as proteins, in live cells. Quantitative measurement of the molecular interactions among Tat, CycT1 and CDK9 has showed that any third molecule enhances the binding between the other two molecules. These findings suggest that each component of the Tat:P-TEFb complex stabilizes the overall complex, thereby supporting the efficient transcriptional elongation during viral RNA synthesis. These interactions may serve as appropriate targets for novel anti-HIV therapy.