Functional characteristics of a highly specific integrase encoded by an LTR-retrotransposon.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The retroviral Integrase protein catalyzes the insertion of linear viral DNA into host cell DNA. Although different retroviruses have been shown to target distinctive chromosomal regions, few of them display a site-specific integration. ZAM, a retroelement from Drosophila melanogaster very similar in structure and replication cycle to mammalian retroviruses is highly site-specific. Indeed, ZAM copies target the genomic 5'-CGCGCg-3' consensus-sequences. To enlighten the determinants of this high integration specificity, we investigated the functional properties of its integrase protein denoted ZAM-IN.

Principal findings

Here we show that ZAM-IN displays the property to nick DNA molecules in vitro. This endonuclease activity targets specific sequences that are prese

SUBMITTER: Faye B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2527525 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature