The N-terminal region of HIV-1 integrase is required for integration activity, but not for DNA-binding.
HIV-1 integrase binds to both double- and single-stranded DNA with Kd-values of around 20 nM, irrespective of sequence similarities with the termini of the viral LTR. For integration activity, however, the correct LTR sequence of the substrate is required. The putative zinc-binding site present at the N-terminus of the protein is not essential for DNA binding, since deletion mutants of the protein lacking this sequence show similar affinity towards DNA as the wild-type; however, these mutants are not capable of performing the LTR-cleavage and integration reactions. Thus, it appears that the N-terminal part of the integrase is essential for catalytic activity.
Schauer
M
M
Sandoz Research Institute, Department of Antiretroviral Therapy, Vienna, Austria.
Billich
A
A
D001483:Base Sequence; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D016325:HIV Long Terminal Repeat; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019426:Integrases; D007700:Kinetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D016662:Virus Integration
D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004247:DNA; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases; D019426:Integrases