Figure 2

HIV-1 Tat C protein downregulates tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) protein expression. (a) Western blot analysis of TRAF3 in CHME3 cells exposed to HIV-1 Tat C protein. Treating CHME3 cells with 500 ng/ml Tat C significantly reduced the cellular TRAF3 protein level. (b) Densitometry analysis of TRAF3, normalized to β-tubulin image density. The change in TRAF3 expression level in the treated group versus the untreated control group was significant (*P ≤ 0.05). (c) Quantitative PCR analysis of TRAF3 in CHME3 cells exposed to HIV Tat C protein. The graph is representative of three independent experiments. All experiments were performed at least three times and data are presented as mean ± SE. **P ≤ 0.005.