Dimerization and template switching in the 5' untranslated region between various subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

ABSTRACT: The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particle contains two identical RNA strands, each corresponding to the entire genome. The 5' untranslated region (UTR) of each RNA strand contains extensive secondary and tertiary structures that are instrumental in different steps of the viral replication cycle. We have characterized the 5' UTRs of nine different HIV-1 isolates representing subtypes A through G and, by comparing their homodimerization and heterodimerization potentials, found that complementarity between the palindromic sequences in the dimerization initiation site (DIS) hairpins is necessary and sufficient for in vitro dimerization of two subtype RNAs. The 5' UTR sequences were used to design donor and acceptor templates for a coupled in vitro dimerization-reverse transcript

SUBMITTER: Andersen ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC149732 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature