Vpr expression abolishes the capacity of HIV-1 infected cells to repair uracilated DNA

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr protein binds to the cellular uracil–DNA glycosylase UNG2 and induces its degradation through the assembly with the DDB1-CUL4 ubiquitin ligase complex. This interaction counteracts the antiviral activity exerted by UNG2 on HIV-1 gene transcription, as previously reported by us. In this work, we show that Vpr expression in the context of HIV-1 infection markedly decreases UNG2 expression in transformed or primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes. We demonstrate for the first time that Vpr-UNG2 interaction significantly impairs the uracil excision activity of infected cells. The loss of uracil excision activity coincides with a significant accumulation of uracilated bases in the genome of infected cells without changes in cell division. Although UNG2 expression and uracil–DNA glycosylase activity are recovered after the peak of retroviral replication, the mutagenic effect of transient DNA uracilation in cycling cells should be taken into account. Therefore, the possible consequences of Vpr-mediated temporary depletion of endogenous nuclear UNG2 and subsequent alteration of the genomic integrity of infected cells need to be evaluated in the physiopathogenesis of HIV infection.