Distinct Gag interaction properties of HIV-1 RNA 5' leader conformers reveal a mechanism for dimeric genome selection.

ABSTRACT: During HIV-1 assembly, two copies of viral genomic RNAs (gRNAs) are selectively packaged into new viral particles. This process is mediated by specific interactions between HIV-1 Gag and the packaging signals at the 5' leader (5'L) of viral gRNA. 5'L is able to adopt different conformations, which promotes either gRNA dimerization and packaging or Gag translation. Dimerization and packaging are coupled. Whether the selective packaging of the gRNA dimer is due to favorable interactions between Gag and 5'L in the packaging conformation is not known. Here, using RNAs mimicking the two 5'L conformers, we show that the 5'L conformation dramatically affects Gag-RNA interactions. Compared to the RNA in the translation conformation (5'L_T), the RNA in the packaging conformation (5'L

SUBMITTER: Yang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9891258 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature