Figure 8

CAT assays with HIV-LTR-CAT and its activator Tat, and HTLV-LTR-CAT and its positive activator Tax. Lymphocyte (CEM, 12D7) cells were grown to mid log phase and were processed for electroporation according to a procedure published previously [52]. The cells were washed with phosphate-buffered saline and resuspended in RPMI 1640. They were next transfected with reporter constructs (HIV-LTR-CAT or HTLV-LTR-CAT; 3 ug of each), their respective activators (Tat or Tax; 4 ug each) or with various siRNAs (10 ug each). Lanes 1–3 serve as positive controls for basal, activated transcription and effect of cdk2 siRNA on inhibition of HIV-1 LTR. Lanes 4–14 are basal, activated transcription and effect of various siRNAs on HTLV- LTR-CAT. Only cdk9 siRNA showed an appreciable amount of suppression on Tax activated HTLV-LTR (lane 8). CAT % conversations are listed below the diagram.