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.
Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
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Borsetti
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Ohagen
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Göttlinger
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