High expression, purification and functional analysis of the Tat protein of HIV-1B^/C recombinant strains in China
Tat proteins were purified by nickel-chelating chromatography. Luciferase assays indicated that the Tat proteins expressed in vitro had biological activity, and could transactivate the downstream reporter gene of HIV-1 LTR. The difference in transactivation was in direct proportion to the viral load of the HIV-infected individuals. The above results show that tat gene mutation can change its phenotype, and further impact viral epidemiology. This study sheds light on patterns of gene mutations and characteristics of the HIV-1B^/C recombinant strains in China.