genes and their encoded proteins which regulate gene expression of interleukin-2 receptor and of human, lymfotrope retrovirus

摘要

The present invention is directed to genes, termed Rpt-1 (regulatory protein T lymphocyte-1), which are expressed at higher levels by resting CD4+ helper/inducer T cells relative to activated CD4+ cells. The invention also relates to the proteins encoded by such genes, termed rpt-1 proteins, which regulate gene expression directed by the promoter region of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2r) alpha chain gene or by the promoter region of the long terminal repeat of human lymphotropic retroviruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-I, and HTLV-II. In particular, rpt-1 proteins down-regulate gene expression controlled by the promoter of the IL-2r alpha chain gene or by the promoter of the long terminal repeat of HIV-1. The proteins and nucleic acids of the invention have value in diagnosis and therapy of immune disorders such as AIDS. In a specific example of the present invention, an Rpt-1 gene and its encoded intracellular protein of approximately 41,000 daltons molecular weight are described. The rpt-1 protein is shown to be selectively expressed by activated CD4+ T cells, and to down-regulate gene expression of the IL-2r and the HIV-1.