HIV-1 pre-integration complexes selectively target decondensed chromatin in the nuclear periphery.

ABSTRACT: Integration of the double-stranded DNA copy of the HIV-1 genome into host chromosomal DNA is a requirement for efficient viral replication. Integration preferentially occurs within active transcription units, however chromosomal site specificity does not correlate with any strong primary sequence. To investigate whether the nuclear architecture may affect viral integration we have developed an experimental system where HIV-1 viral particles can be visualized within the nuclear compartment. Fluorescently labeled HIV-1 virions were engineered by fusing integrase, the viral protein that catalyzes the integration reaction, to fluorescent proteins. Viral tests demonstrate that the infectivity of fluorescent virions, including the integration step, is not altered as compared to wild-type virus.

SUBMITTER: Albanese A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2398779 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature