The mature gag and pol proteins of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and all retroviruses derive from large gag and gag-pol polyprotein precursors by posttranslational cleavage.

Recombinant human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) protease, purified from a bacterial expression system, processed a recombinant form of its natural substrate, Pr55sag, into protein fragments that possess molecular weights commensurate with those of the virion gag proteins. Molecular weights of the protease obtained under denaturing and nondenaturing conditions (11,000 and 22,000, respectively) and chemical crosslinking studies were consistent with a dimeric structure for the active enzyme. The protease appropriately cleaved the nonapeptide Ac-Arg-Ala-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-ProVal-Val-NH2 between the tyrosine and proline residues. HIV-1 protease was sensitive to inactivators of the aspartic proteases. The aspartic protease inactivator 1,2-epoxy-3-(4-nitrophenoxy)propane produced irreversible, time-dependent inactivation of the protease. The pH-dependent kinetics of this inactivator were consistent with the requirement of an unprotonated carboxyl group in the active site of the enzyme, suggesting that HIV-1 protease is also an aspartic protease.

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Tumour necrosis factor alpha (ref. 1), synthesized primarily by monocytes in response to various invasive agents, induces a wide variety of biological effects relevant to regulating cell growth and differentiation, including the selective killing of some tumour cells and the growth stimulation of some normal fibroblasts. As tumour necrosis factor (TNF) appears to kill tumour cells preferentially, we asked whether TNF sensitivity correlates with the expression of specific oncogene(s). If so, by examining the cellular target(s) of the oncogene product, it might be possible to identify specific factor(s) which mediate TNF action. By using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay with NIH 3T3 and Fisher BRK-derived cells expressing exogenously introduced oncogenes, we found that adenovirus E1A proteins induce susceptibility to TNF killing.

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