Nuclear import defect of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA flap mutants is not dependent on the viral strain or target cell type.
We have previously established, using human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strain LAI, that the HIV-1 central DNA Flap acts as a cis determinant of viral genome nuclear import. Although the impact of the DNA Flap on nuclear import has already found numerous independent confirmations in the context of lentivirus vectors, it has been claimed that it may be nonessential for infectious virus strains LAI, YU-2 (J. D. Dvorin et al., J. Virol. 76:12087-12096, 2002), HXB2, and NL4-3 (A. Limon et al., J. Virol. 76:12078-12086, 2002). We conducted a detailed analysis of virus infectivity using the provirus clones provided by the authors and analogous target cells. In contrast to published data, our results show that all cPPT mutant viruses exhibit reduced infectivity corresponding to a nuclear import defect irrespective of the viral genetic background or target cell.
Arhel
Nathalie
N
Groupe de Virologie Moléculaire et Vectorologie, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, France.
Munier
Sandie
S
Souque
Philippe
P
Mollier
Karine
K
Charneau
Pierre
P
D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D004279:DNA, Viral; D001616:beta-Galactosidase