The C-terminal half of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag precursor is sufficient for efficient particle assembly.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 particle assembly is directed by the Gag polyprotein Pr55(gag), the precursor for the matrix (MA), capsid (CA), and nucleocapsid proteins of the mature virion. We now show that CA sequences N terminal to the major homology region (MHR), which form a distinct domain, are dispensable for particle formation. However, slightly larger deletions which extend into the MHR severely impair particle production. Remarkably, a deletion which removed essentially all MA and CA sequences between the N-terminal myristyl anchor and the MHR reduced the yield of extracellular particles only moderately. Particle formation even exceeded wild-type levels when additional MA sequences, either from the N or the C terminus of the domain, were retained. We conclude that no distinct region between the myristyl anchor and the MHR is required for efficient particle assembly or release.
Borsetti
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A
Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Ohagen
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A
Göttlinger
H G
HG
D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D014162:Transfection; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D015683:Gene Products, gag; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C059767:p55 gag precursor protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1