title: Retroviral E-DNA: persistence and gene expression in nondividing immune cells.
abstract: Following retroviral infection of cells, not only is the proviral DNA integrated into the host genome, but there is also an accumulation of unintegrated extrachromosomal DNA (E-DNA), both linear and circular. Although the integrated DNA is responsible for the production of viral proteins and new viral progeny, the role of E-DNA has remained uncertain. Several reports have shown that E-DNA is transcriptionally active producing both RNA, as well as viral proteins and that circular E-DNA can persist in nondividing cells, raising questions regarding the potential consequences of this reservoir. Furthermore, integrase inhibitors, presently in clinical trials, shifts the balance of proviral DNA to the E-DNA form. This review is focused on recent work in this field with an emphasis on exploring the potential role of E-DNA in both pathogenesis of retroviral infections, especially HIV-1, and as a tool to deliver and express genes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Itlay.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cara
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Klotman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D005111:Extrachromosomal Inheritance / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D019429:Integrase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D019429:Integrase Inhibitors; D014765:Viral Vaccines