title: Retroviral DNA Integration.
abstract: The integration of a DNA copy of the viral RNA genome into host chromatin is the defining step of retroviral replication. This enzymatic process is catalyzed by the virus-encoded integrase protein, which is conserved among retroviruses and LTR-retrotransposons. Retroviral integration proceeds via two integrase activities: 3'-processing of the viral DNA ends, followed by the strand transfer of the processed ends into host cell chromosomal DNA. Herein we review the molecular mechanism of retroviral DNA integration, with an emphasis on reaction chemistries and architectures of the nucleoprotein complexes involved. We additionally discuss the latest advances on anti-integrase drug development for the treatment of AIDS and the utility of integrating retroviral vectors in gene therapy applications.
authors.affiliation: Clare Hall Laboratories, The Francis Crick Institute , Blanche Lane, South Mimms, EN6 3LD, U.K.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lesbats
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School , 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 United States.
authors.forename: Alan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Engelman
authors.affiliation: Clare Hall Laboratories, The Francis Crick Institute , Blanche Lane, South Mimms, EN6 3LD, U.K.|Imperial College London , St-Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, U.K.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cherepanov
mesh_terms: D004260:DNA Repair; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015195:Drug Design; D019427:HIV Integrase / Q000737:chemistry; D019428:HIV Integrase Inhibitors; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D016662:Virus Integration
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D019428:HIV Integrase Inhibitors; D019427:HIV Integrase