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J. Virol., 12 1997, 9295-9305, Vol 71, No. 12
MD Schwartz, D Fiore and AT Panganiban
The process of retroviral RNA encapsidation involves interaction between
trans-acting viral proteins and cis-acting RNA elements. The encapsidation
signal on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA is a multipartite
structure composed of functional stem-loop structures. The nucleocapsid
(NC) domain of the Gag polyprotein precursor contains two copies of a
Cys-His box motif that have been demonstrated to be important in RNA
encapsidation. To further characterize the role of the Cys-His boxes of the
HIV-1 NC protein in RNA encapsidation, the relative efficiency of RNA
encapsidation for virus particles that contained mutations within the
Cys-His boxes was measured. Mutations that disrupted the first Cys-His box
of the NC protein resulted in virus particles that encapsidated genomic RNA
less efficiently and subgenomic RNA more efficiently than did wild-type
virus. Mutations within the second Cys-His box did not significantly affect
RNA encapsidation. In addition, a full complement of wild-type NC protein
in virus particles is not required for efficient RNA encapsidation or virus
replication. Finally, both Cys-His boxes of the NC protein play additional
roles in virus replication.
Copyright © 1997, American Society for Microbiology
Distinct functions and requirements for the Cys-His boxes of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein during RNA encapsidation and replication
McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53706, USA.
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