The Host Restriction Factor APOBEC3G and Retroviral Vif Protein Coevolve due to Ongoing Genetic Conflict

SummaryAPOBEC3G (A3G) is a host cytidine deaminase that inhibits retroviruses. HIV and related primate lentiviruses encode Vif, which counteracts A3G by inducing its degradation. This Vif-mediated A3G inhibition is species specific, suggesting that the A3G-Vif interaction has evolved as primate lentiviruses have adapted to their hosts. We examined the evolutionary dynamics of the A3G-Vif interaction within four African green monkey (AGM) subspecies, which are each naturally infected with a distinct simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). We identified single amino acid changes within A3G in two AGM subspecies that render it resistant to Vif proteins, except for Vif from the viruses that naturally infect these subspecies. Moreover, experimental infection of AGMs shows that Vif can rapidly adapt to these arising Vif-resistant A3G genotypes. These data suggest that despite being generally nonpathogenic in its natural host, SIV infection selects for Vif-resistant forms of A3G in AGM populations, driving Vif counterevolution and functional divergence.

► SIV selects for variants of a restriction factor, Apobec3G, in its primate host
► SIV adapts to polymorphism in Apobec3G through evolution of the viral gene, Vif
► Lentiviruses thought to be nonpathogenic still cause selection in their natural host