Distinct Conformational States Underlie Pausing during Initiation of HIV-1 Reverse Transcription.

ABSTRACT: A hallmark of the initiation step of HIV-1 reverse transcription, in which viral RNA genome is converted into double-stranded DNA, is that it is slow and non-processive. Biochemical studies have identified specific sites along the viral RNA genomic template in which reverse transcriptase (RT) stalls. These stalling points, which occur after the addition of three and five template dNTPs, may serve as checkpoints to regulate the precise timing of HIV-1 reverse transcription following viral entry. Structural studies of reverse transcriptase initiation complexes (RTICs) have revealed unique conformations that may explain the slow rate of incorporation; however, questions remain about the temporal evolution of the complex and features that contribute to strong pausing during initiation. Here we

SUBMITTER: Larsen KP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7387199 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature