The nucleocapsid domain of Gag is dispensable for actin incorporation into HIV-1 and for association of viral budding sites with cortical F-actin.

ABSTRACT: Actin and actin-binding proteins are incorporated into HIV-1 particles, and F-actin has been suggested to bind the NC domain in HIV-1 Gag. Furthermore, F-actin has been frequently observed in the vicinity of HIV-1 budding sites by cryo-electron tomography (cET). Filamentous structures emanating from viral buds and suggested to correspond to actin filaments have been observed by atomic force microscopy. To determine whether the NC domain of Gag is required for actin association with viral buds and for actin incorporation into HIV-1, we performed comparative analyses of virus-like particles (VLPs) obtained by expression of wild-type HIV-1 Gag or a Gag variant where the entire NC domain had been replaced by a dimerizing leucine zipper [Gag(LZ)]. The latter protein yielded efficient production

SUBMITTER: Stauffer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4097806 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature