HIV-1 is characterized by high genetic heterogeneity which is a challenge for developing therapeutics. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extent of genetic variations that HIV is undergoing in North India. The objective of this study was to determine the role of genetic and functional role of Vif on APOBEC3G degradation. Vif is an accessory protein involved in counteracting APOBEC3/F proteins. Genetic analysis of Vif variants revealed that Vif C variants were closely related to South African Vif C whereas Vif B variants and Vif B/C showed distinct geographic locations. This is the first report to show the emergence of Vif B/C in our population. The functional domains, motifs and phosphorylation sites were well conserved. Vif C variants differed in APOBEC3G degradation from Vif B variants. Vif B/C revealed similar levels of APOBEC3G degradation to Vif C confirming the presence of genetic determinants in C-terminal region. High genetic diversity was observed in Vif variants which may cause the emergence of more complex and divergent strains. These results reveal the genetic determinants of Vif in mediating APOBEC3G degradation and highlight the genetic information for the development of anti-viral drugs against HIV. Importance: Vif is an accessory HIV-1 protein which plays significant role in the degradation of human DNA-editing factor APOBEC3G, thereby impeding the antiretroviral activity of APOBEC3G. It is known that certain natural polymorphisms in Vif could degrade APOBEC3G relatively higher rate, suggesting its role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. This is the first report from North India showcasing genetic variations and novel polymorphisms in Vif gene. Subtype C is prevalent in India, but for the first time we observed putative B/C recombinants with a little high ability to degrade APOBEC3G indicating adaptation and evolving nature of virus in our population. Indian Vif C variants were able to degrade APOBEC3G well in comparison to Vif B variants. These genetic changes were most likely selected during adaptation of HIV to our population. These results elucidate that the genetic determinants of Vif and highlights the potential targets for therapeutics.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical components of the multidimensional regulatory networks in eukaryotic systems. Given their diverse spectrum of function, it is apparent that the transcription, processing, and activity of the miRNAs themselves, is very dynamically regulated. One of the most important and universally implicated signaling molecules is [Ca2+]cyt. It is known to regulate a plethora of developmental and metabolic processes in both plants and animals; however, its impact on the regulation of miRNA expression is relatively less explored. The current study employed a combination of internal and external calcium channel inhibitors to establishing that [Ca2+]cyt signatures actively regulate miRNA expression in rice. Involvement of [Ca2+]cyt in the regulation of miRNA expression was further confirmed by treatment with calcimycin, the calcium ionophore. Modulation of the cytosolic calcium levels was also found to regulate the drought-responsive expression as well as ABA-mediated response of miRNA genes in rice seedlings. The study further establishes the role of calmodulins and Calmodulin-binding Transcription Activators (CAMTAs) as important components of the signal transduction schema that regulates miRNA expression. Yeast one-hybrid assay established that OsCAMTA4 & 6 are involved in the transcriptional regulation of miR156a and miR167h. Thus, the study was able to establish that [Ca2+]cyt is actively involved in regulating the expression of miRNA genes both under control and stress conditions.

MicroRNAs are critical components of the multi-dimensional regulatory networks in eukaryotic systems. They regulate a spectrum of developmental and metabolic processes in both plants and animals. Thus, it is quite apparent that the transcription, processing as well as activity of the miRNAs themselves is very dynamically regulated. One of the most important and universally implicated signaling molecule is [Ca2+]cyt. It is known to regulate a plethora of developmental and metabolic processes in both plants and animals, however their impact on the regulation of miRNA expression is relatively less explored. The current study employed a combination of internal and external calcium channel inhibitors, to establish that [Ca2+]cyt signatures actively regulate miRNA expression in rice. Involvement of [Ca2+]cyt in regulation of miRNA expression was further confirmed by treatment with calcimycin, the calcium ionophore. Modulation of the cytosolic calcium levels was also found to regulate the drought responsive expression as well as ABA mediated response of miRNA genes in rice seedlings. The study further establishes the role of calmodulins and Calmodulin-binding Transcription Activators (CAMTAs) as important components of the signal transduction schema that regulates miRNA expression. Yeast-one-hybrid assay established that OsCAMTA4 & 6 are involved in the transcriptional regulation of miR156a and miR167h. Thus, the study was able to clearly establish that [Ca2+]cyt is actively involved in regulating expression of miRNA genes both under control and stress conditions.