Identification of a sequence required for efficient packaging of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA into virions.
Sequences required for efficient packaging of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome RNA into virus particles were identified. Deletion of 19 base pairs between the 5' long terminal repeat and the gag gene initiation codon of HIV-1 resulted in a virus markedly attenuated for replication in human T lymphocytes. The mutant virus was characterized by nearly wild-type ability to encode viral proteins and to produce virion particles. The mutant virions exhibited a significant reduction in the content of HIV-1-specific RNA. These results identify an important component of the HIV-1 packaging signal.
Laboratory of Human Retrovirology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
A
A
Lever
H
H
Gottlinger
W
W
Haseltine
J
J
Sodroski
D001483:Base Sequence; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D014771:Virion / Q000032:analysis*; D014779:Virus Replication
D012367:RNA, Viral