Cloning and analysis of the promoter region of CCR5, a coreceptor for HIV-1 entry

Abstract

The chemokine receptor CCR5 is a cofactor for cellular entry of macrophage-tropic strains of HIV-1. Expression of CCR5 is restricted to T cells, macrophages, and certain cell lines; however, the mechanisms controlling its expression remain largely unknown. To delineate these mechanisms, approximately 1.0 kb of DNA from the immediate 5' upstream region of CCR5 was cloned and characterized. CCR5 promoter activity was up-regulated by PMA, and a region spanning -417 to +61 relative to the transcription start site was sufficient for the basal and induced activity. DNase I footprinting assays demonstrated several protected areas within this region, and gel shift assays determined binding sites for transcriptional factors Oct-1, Oct-2, T cell factor 1alpha, and GATA1. CCR5 promoter activity was also induced by IL-2 or anti-CD3 Ab, while stimulation with anti-CD28 Ab markedly reduced CD3-mediated up-regulation of the CCR5 promoter. Flow cytometry confirmed the findings at the level of cell surface expression. Further delineation of the regulation of the CCR5 promoter will be important for a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV disease.