PDZ Domain Containing Protein 8 (PDZD8)

PDZD8 is a novel Gag-interacting factor that promotes retroviral infection. In a yeast two-hybrid screen for cellular factors that could interact with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag protein, identified PDZD8 and confirmed the interaction by coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP).

PDZD8 overexpression promoted the initiation of reverse transcription and increased infection by pseudotyped retroviruses independent of the route of viral entry, while transient knockdown of endogenous levels decreased HIV-1 infection. A mutant of PDZD8 lacking a predicted coiled-coil domain in its Gag-interacting region failed to bind Gag and promote HIV-1 infection, identifying the domain of PDZD8 required for mediating these effects.