title: Formation of the tRNALys packaging complex in HIV-1.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) uses a host cell tRNA(Lys,3) molecule to prime reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome into double-stranded DNA prior to integration into the host genome. All three human tRNA(Lys) isoacceptors along with human lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) are selectively packaged into HIV-1. Packaging of LysRS requires the viral Gag polyprotein and incorporation of tRNA(Lys) additionally requires the Gag-Pol precursor. A model that incorporates the known interactions between components of the putative packaging complex is presented. The molecular interactions that direct assembly of the tRNA(Lys)/LysRS packaging complex hold promise for the development of new anti-viral agents.
authors.affiliation: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill AIDS Centre, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote St. Catherine Rd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T1E2. lawrence.kleiman@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kleiman
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Musier-Forsyth
mesh_terms: D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008250:Lysine-tRNA Ligase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012357:RNA, Transfer, Lys / Q000378:metabolism*; D019065:Virus Assembly
chemical_list: D012357:RNA, Transfer, Lys; D008250:Lysine-tRNA Ligase