Cleavage of Gag precursor is required for early replication phase of HIV-1.
A mutant of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), which is deficient for Gag precursor cleavage and noninfectious, was characterized with respect to its defective step in the viral replication phase. Upon transfection, the mutant produced a normal level of progeny virions as monitored by electron microscopy and RNA hybridization. Single-round replication assay demonstrated, in contrast, that the mutant was defective at the early phase of the replication cycle. Furthermore, no viral DNA was detected in the cells infected with the mutant. Taken together, it is concluded that maturation of Gag precursor protein of HIV-1 is required for an early event(s) before or during a coupled process of uncoating/reverse transcription.
Kawamura
M
M
Department of Virology, School of Medicine, The University of Tokushima, Japan.
Shimano
R
R
Inubushi
R
R
Amano
K
K
Ogasawara
T
T
Akari
H
H
Adachi
A
A
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016333:HIV Protease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012367:RNA, Viral; C059767:p55 gag precursor protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; D016333:HIV Protease