Assessment of the role of the central DNA flap in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by using a single-cycle replication system.
In this study, reverse transcriptase (RT)- and integrase (IN)-defective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was transcomplemented with Vpr-RT-IN fusion proteins to delineate pol sequences important for HIV-1 replication. Our results reveal that a 194-bp sequence encompassing the 3'end of the IN gene and containing the central DNA flap is necessary and sufficient for efficient HIV-1 single-cycle replication in dividing and nondividing cells. Furthermore, we show that the central DNA flap enhances HIV-1 single-round replication by five- to sevenfold, primarily by facilitating nuclear import of proviral DNA. In agreement with previous reports, our data support a functional role of the central DNA flap during the early stages of HIV-1 infection.
Laboratoire de rétrovirologie humaine, Département de microbiologie et immunologie, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7.
Zhujun
Z
Ao
Xiaojian
X
Yao
Eric A
EA
Cohen
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016336:Gene Products, vpr / Q000235:genetics; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D019427:HIV Integrase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016662:Virus Integration; D014779:Virus Replication; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015684:Gene Products, pol; D016336:Gene Products, vpr; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D019427:HIV Integrase; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase