Mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein zinc fingers cause premature reverse transcription.

ABSTRACT: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires that its genome be reverse transcribed into double-stranded DNA for productive infection of cells. This process requires not only reverse transcriptase but also the nucleocapsid protein (NC), which functions as a nucleic acid chaperone. Reverse transcription generally begins once the core of the virion enters the cytoplasm of a newly infected cell. However, some groups have reported the presence of low levels of viral DNA (vDNA) within particles prior to infection, the significance and function of which is controversial. We report here that several HIV-1 NC mutants, which we previously identified as being replication defective, contain abnormally high levels of intravirion DNA. These findings were further reinforced by the inability of t

SUBMITTER: Thomas JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2546943 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature