Naturally occurring ZCCHC3 variants modulate antiretroviral activity in cynomolgus macaques

Many mammalian cells restrict viral replication by utilizing various host restriction factors. We recently demonstrated that CCHC-type zinc-finger-containing protein 3 (ZCCHC3) suppresses human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication through multiple mechanisms. We also revealed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human ZCCHC3 affect its antiviral function; however, whether similar genetic and functional diversity is present in other species remains unknown.

In this study, we investigated the genetic and functional diversity of ZCCHC3 in cynomolgus macaques, a critical animal model for HIV-1-related research. Sequencing analysis of eight independent ZCCHC3 clones per animal revealed substantial amino acid diversity among cynomolgus macaques. We selected 12 representative variants and examined their antiviral activity against several retroviral vectors derived from HIV-1, simian immunodeficiency virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and murine leukemia virus. Moreover, using replication-competent HIV-1, we showed that selected cynomolgus macaque ZCCHC3 variants can affect both viral production and viral infectivity. These results suggest that the genetic and functional diversity of ZCCHC3 is not limited to humans and underscore the importance of considering ZCCHC3 variation in cynomolgus macaques when using them as animal models for HIV-1-related research.