Phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate enables efficient secretion of HIV-1 Tat by infected T-cells

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcription relies on its transactivating Tat protein. Although devoid of a signal sequence, Tat is released by infected cells and secreted Tat can affect uninfected cells, thereby contributing to HIV-1 pathogenesis. The mechanism and the efficiency of Tat export remained to be documented. Here, we show that, in HIV-1-infected primary CD4 T-cells that are the main targets of the virus, Tat accumulates at the plasma membrane because of its specific binding to phosphatidylinositol-4,5- bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P 2). This interaction is driven by a specific motif of the Tat basic domain that recognizes a single PI(4,5)P 2 molecule and is stabilized by membrane insertion of Tat tryptophan side chain. This original recognition mechanism enables binding to membrane-embedded PI(4,5)P 2 only, but with an unusually high affinity that allows Tat to perturb the PI(4,5)P 2-mediated recruitment of cellular proteins. Tat-PI(4,5)P 2 interaction is strictly required for Tat secretion, a process that is very efficient, as 2/3 of Tat are exported by HIV-1-infected cells during their lifespan. The function of extracellular Tat in HIV-1 infection might thus be more significant than earlier thought.