Human lysyl-tRNA synthetase phosphorylation promotes HIV-1 proviral DNA transcription

Human lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) was previously shown to be re-localized from its normal cytoplasmic location in a multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) to the nucleus of HIV-1 infected cells. Nuclear localization depends on S207 phosphorylation but the nuclear function of pS207-LysRS in the HIV-1 lifecycle is unknown. Here, we show that HIV-1 replication was severely reduced in a S207A-LysRS knock-in cell line generated by CRISPR/Cas9; this effect was rescued by S207D-LysRS. LysRS phosphorylation up-regulated HIV-1 transcription, as did direct transfection of Ap4A, an upstream transcription factor 2 (USF2) activator that is synthesized by pS207-LysRS. Overexpressing an MSC-derived peptide known to stabilize LysRS MSC binding inhibited HIV-1 replication. Transcription of HIV-1 proviral DNA and other USF2 target genes was reduced in peptide-expressing cells. We propose that nuclear pS207-LysRS generates Ap4A, leading to activation of HIV-1 transcription. Our results suggest a new role for nuclear LysRS in facilitating HIV-1 replication and new avenues for antiviral therapy. Graphical Abstract