Mechanistic aspects of HIV-1 reverse transcription initiation.
During reverse transcription, the positive-strand HIV-1 RNA genome is converted into a double-stranded DNA copy which can be permanently integrated into the host cell genome. Recent analyses show that HIV-1 reverse transcription is a highly regulated process. The initiation reaction can be distinguished from a subsequent elongation reaction carried out by a reverse transcription complex composed of (at least) heterodimeric reverse transcriptase, cellular tRNA(lys3) and HIV-1 genomic RNA sequences. In addition, viral factors including Tat, Nef, Vif, Vpr, IN and NCp7, cellular proteins, and TAR RNA and other RNA stem-loop structures appear to influence this complex and contribute to the efficiency of the initiation reaction. As viral resistance to many antiretroviral compounds is a continuing problem, understanding the ways in which these factors influence the reverse transcription complex will likely lead to novel antiretroviral strategies.
Harrich
David
D
HIV Research Unit, Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland, Australia 4029.
Hooker
Bill
B
D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001483:Base Sequence; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000378:metabolism; D019427:HIV Integrase / Q000502:physiology; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015696:Gene Products, tat; D012367:RNA, Viral; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D019427:HIV Integrase; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase