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Hiv-1 Tat Triggers Nuclear Localization Of Zo-1 Via Rho Signaling And Camp Response Element-Binding Protein Activation, Yu Zhong, Bei Zhang, Sung Yong Eum, Michal Toborek

Neurosurgery Faculty Publications

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific protein trans-activator of transcription (Tat) can contribute to the dysfunction of brain endothelial cells and HIV trafficking into the brain by disrupting tight junction (TJ) integrity at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) level. Specific TJ proteins, such as zonula occludens (ZO) proteins, localize not only at the cell–cell borders but are also present in the nuclei. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mechanisms and significance of Tat-induced nuclear localization of ZO-1. Treatment of a brain endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3 cells) with Tat resulted in a decrease in total levels of ZO-1 but …