1
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Martin J, Chen X, Jia X, Shao Q, Liu B. The Disassociation of A3G-Related HIV-1 cDNA G-to-A Hypermutation to Viral Infectivity. Viruses 2024; 16:728. [PMID: 38793610 PMCID: PMC11126051 DOI: 10.3390/v16050728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
APOBEC3G (A3G) restricts HIV-1 replication primarily by reducing viral cDNA and inducing G-to-A hypermutations in viral cDNA. HIV-1 encodes virion infectivity factor (Vif) to counteract A3G primarily by excluding A3G viral encapsidation. Even though the Vif-induced exclusion is robust, studies suggest that A3G is still detectable in the virion. The impact of encapsidated A3G in the HIV-1 replication is unclear. Using a highly sensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based G-to-A hypermutation detecting assay, we found that wild-type HIV-1 produced from A3G-expressing T-cells induced higher G-to-A hypermutation frequency in viral cDNA than HIV-1 from non-A3G-expressing T-cells. Interestingly, although the virus produced from A3G-expressing T-cells induced higher hypermutation frequency, there was no significant difference in viral infectivity, revealing a disassociation of cDNA G-to-A hypermutation to viral infectivity. We also measured G-to-A hypermutation in the viral RNA genome. Surprisingly, our data showed that hypermutation frequency in the viral RNA genome was significantly lower than in the integrated DNA, suggesting a mechanism exists to preferentially select intact genomic RNA for viral packing. This study revealed a new insight into the mechanism of HIV-1 counteracting A3G antiviral function and might lay a foundation for new antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanie Martin
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (J.M.); (X.C.); (X.J.); (Q.S.)
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (J.M.); (X.C.); (X.J.); (Q.S.)
| | - Xiangxu Jia
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (J.M.); (X.C.); (X.J.); (Q.S.)
| | - Qiujia Shao
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (J.M.); (X.C.); (X.J.); (Q.S.)
| | - Bindong Liu
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (J.M.); (X.C.); (X.J.); (Q.S.)
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2
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Juen F, Glänzer D, Plangger R, Kugler V, Fleischmann J, Stefan E, Case DA, Kovacs H, Dayie TK, Kreutz C. Enhanced TROSY Effect in [2- 19 F, 2- 13 C] Adenosine and ATP Analogs Facilitates NMR Spectroscopy of Very Large Biological RNAs in Solution. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316273. [PMID: 38185473 PMCID: PMC10922520 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Large RNAs are central to cellular functions, but characterizing such RNAs remains challenging by solution NMR. We present two labeling technologies based on [2-19 F, 2-13 C]-adenosine, which allow the incorporation of aromatic 19 F-13 C spin pairs. The labels when coupled with the transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy (TROSY) enable us to probe RNAs comprising up to 124 nucleotides. With our new [2-19 F, 2-13 C]-adenosine-phosphoramidite, all resonances of the human hepatitis B virus epsilon RNA could be readily assigned. With [2-19 F, 2-13 C]-adenosine triphosphate, the 124 nt pre-miR-17-NPSL1-RNA was produced via in vitro transcription and the TROSY spectrum of this 40 kDa [2-19 F, 2-13 C]-A-labeled RNA featured sharper resonances than the [2-1 H, 2-13 C]-A sample. The mutual cancelation of the chemical-shift-anisotropy and the dipole-dipole-components of TROSY-resonances leads to narrow linewidths over a wide range of molecular weights. With the synthesis of a non-hydrolysable [2-19 F, 2-13 C]-adenosine-triphosphate, we facilitate the probing of co-factor binding in kinase complexes and NMR-based inhibitor binding studies in such systems. Our labels allow a straightforward assignment for larger RNAs via a divide-and-conquer/mutational approach. The new [2-19 F, 2-13 C]-adenosine precursors are a valuable addition to the RNA NMR toolbox and will allow the study of large RNAs/RNA protein complexes in vitro and in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Juen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Glänzer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Raphael Plangger
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Valentina Kugler
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jakob Fleischmann
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David A. Case
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | - Theodore Kwaku Dayie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20782, USA
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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3
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Yoshida T, Kasuya Y, Yamamoto H, Kawai G, Hanaki KI, Matano T, Masuda T. HIV-1 RNAs whose transcription initiates from the third deoxyguanosine of GGG tract in the 5' long terminal repeat serve as a dominant genome for efficient provirus DNA formation. J Virol 2024; 98:e0182523. [PMID: 38289105 PMCID: PMC10878063 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01825-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Unspliced HIV-1 RNAs function as messenger RNAs for Gag or Gag-Pol polyproteins and progeny genomes packaged into virus particles. Recently, it has been reported that fate of the RNAs might be primarily determined, depending on transcriptional initiation sites among three consecutive deoxyguanosine residues (GGG tract) downstream of TATA-box in the 5' long terminal repeat (LTR). Although HIV-1 RNA transcription starts mostly from the first deoxyguanosine of the GGG tract and often from the second or third deoxyguanosine, RNAs beginning with one guanosine (G1-form RNAs), whose transcription initiates from the third deoxyguanosine, were predominant in HIV-1 particles. Despite selective packaging of G1-form RNAs into virus particles, its biological impact during viral replication remains to be determined. In this study, we revealed that G1-form RNAs are primarily selected as a template for provirus DNA rather than other RNAs. In competitions between HIV-1 and lentiviral vector transcripts in virus-producing cells, approximately 80% of infectious particles were found to generate provirus using HIV-1 transcripts, while lentiviral vector transcripts were conversely selected when we used HIV-1 mutants in which the third deoxyguanosine in the GGG tract was replaced with deoxythymidine or deoxycytidine (GGT or GGC mutants, respectively). In the other analyses of proviral sequences after infection with an HIV-1 mutant in which the GGG tract in 3' LTR was replaced with TTT, most proviral sequences of the GGG-tract region in 5' LTR were found to be TTG, which is reasonably generated using the G1-form transcripts. Our results indicate that the G1-form RNAs serve as a dominant genome to establish provirus DNA.IMPORTANCESince the promoter for transcribing HIV-1 RNA is unique, all viral elements including genomic RNA and viral proteins have to be generated by the unique transcripts through ingenious mechanisms including RNA splicing and frameshifting during protein translation. Previous studies suggested a new mechanism for diversification of HIV-1 RNA functions by heterogeneous transcriptional initiation site usage; HIV-1 RNAs whose transcription initiates from a certain nucleotide were predominant in virus particles. In this study, we established two methods to analyze heterogenous transcriptional initiation site usage by HIV-1 during viral infection and showed that RNAs beginning with one guanosine (G1-form RNAs), whose transcription initiates from the third deoxyguanosine of the GGG tract in 5' LTR, were primarily selected as viral genome in infectious particles and thus are used as a template to generate provirus for continuous replication. This study provides insights into the mechanism for diversification of unspliced RNA functions and requisites of lentivirus infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Yoshida
- Management Department of Biosafety, Laboratory Animal, and Pathogen Bank, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuho Kasuya
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Molecular Virology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gota Kawai
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Hanaki
- Management Department of Biosafety, Laboratory Animal, and Pathogen Bank, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Matano
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takao Masuda
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Graduate school of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Ojha M, Vogt J, Das NK, Redmond E, Singh K, Banna HA, Sadat T, Koirala D. Structure of saguaro cactus virus 3' translational enhancer mimics 5' cap for eIF4E binding. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313677121. [PMID: 38241435 PMCID: PMC10823258 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313677121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The genomes of several plant viruses contain RNA structures at their 3' ends called cap-independent translation enhancers (CITEs) that bind the host protein factors such as mRNA 5' cap-binding protein eIF4E for promoting cap-independent genome translation. However, the structural basis of such 5' cap-binding protein recognition by the uncapped RNA remains largely unknown. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of a 3' CITE, panicum mosaic virus-like translation enhancer (PTE) from the saguaro cactus virus (SCV), using a Fab crystallization chaperone. The PTE RNA folds into a three-way junction architecture with a pseudoknot between the purine-rich R domain and pyrimidine-rich Y domain, which organizes the overall structure to protrude out a specific guanine nucleotide, G18, from the R domain that comprises a major interaction site for the eIF4E binding. The superimposable crystal structures of the wild-type, G18A, G18C, and G18U mutants suggest that the PTE scaffold is preorganized with the flipped-out G18 ready to dock into the eIF4E 5' cap-binding pocket. The binding studies with wheat and human eIF4Es using gel electrophoresis and isothermal titration calorimetry, and molecular docking computation for the PTE-eIF4E complex demonstrated that the PTE structure essentially mimics the mRNA 5' cap for eIF4E binding. Such 5' cap mimicry by the uncapped and structured viral RNA highlights how viruses can exploit RNA structures to mimic the host protein-binding partners and bypass the canonical mechanisms for their genome translation, providing opportunities for a better understanding of virus-host interactions and non-canonical translation mechanisms found in many pathogenic RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju Ojha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Jeff Vogt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Naba Krishna Das
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Emily Redmond
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Karndeep Singh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
- HHMI, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Hasan Al Banna
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Tasnia Sadat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
| | - Deepak Koirala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD21250
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5
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Levintov L, Vashisth H. Structural and computational studies of HIV-1 RNA. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-32. [PMID: 38100535 PMCID: PMC10730233 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2289709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses remain a global threat to animals, plants, and humans. The type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is a member of the retrovirus family and carries an RNA genome, which is reverse transcribed into viral DNA and further integrated into the host-cell DNA for viral replication and proliferation. The RNA structures from the HIV-1 genome provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the viral replication cycle. Moreover, these structures serve as models for designing novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we review structural data on RNA from the HIV-1 genome as well as computational studies based on these structural data. The review is organized according to the type of structured RNA element which contributes to different steps in the viral replication cycle. This is followed by an overview of the HIV-1 transactivation response element (TAR) RNA as a model system for understanding dynamics and interactions in the viral RNA systems. The review concludes with a description of computational studies, highlighting the impact of biomolecular simulations in elucidating the mechanistic details of various steps in the HIV-1's replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lev Levintov
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA
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6
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Krishnan A, Ali LM, Prabhu SG, Pillai VN, Chameettachal A, Vivet-Boudou V, Bernacchi S, Mustafa F, Marquet R, Rizvi TA. Identification of a putative Gag binding site critical for feline immunodeficiency virus genomic RNA packaging. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 30:68-88. [PMID: 37914398 PMCID: PMC10726167 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079840.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The retroviral Gag precursor plays a central role in the selection and packaging of viral genomic RNA (gRNA) by binding to virus-specific packaging signal(s) (psi or ψ). Previously, we mapped the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) ψ to two discontinuous regions within the 5' end of the gRNA that assumes a higher order structure harboring several structural motifs. To better define the region and structural elements important for gRNA packaging, we methodically investigated these FIV ψ sequences using genetic, biochemical, and structure-function relationship approaches. Our mutational analysis revealed that the unpaired U85CUG88 stretch within FIV ψ is crucial for gRNA encapsidation into nascent virions. High-throughput selective 2' hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (hSHAPE) performed on wild type (WT) and mutant FIV ψ sequences, with substitutions in the U85CUG88 stretch, revealed that these mutations had limited structural impact and maintained nucleotides 80-92 unpaired, as in the WT structure. Since these mutations dramatically affected packaging, our data suggest that the single-stranded U85CUG88 sequence is important during FIV RNA packaging. Filter-binding assays performed using purified FIV Pr50Gag on WT and mutant U85CUG88 ψ RNAs led to reduced levels of Pr50Gag binding to mutant U85CUG88 ψ RNAs, indicating that the U85CUG88 stretch is crucial for ψ RNA-Pr50Gag interactions. Delineating sequences important for FIV gRNA encapsidation should enhance our understanding of both gRNA packaging and virion assembly, making them potential targets for novel retroviral therapeutic interventions, as well as the development of FIV-based vectors for human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lizna M Ali
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suresha G Prabhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vineeta N Pillai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Akhil Chameettachal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Valérie Vivet-Boudou
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
| | - Serena Bernacchi
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Research Institute in Precision Medicine, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roland Marquet
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France
| | - Tahir A Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Research Institute in Precision Medicine, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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7
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Wu F, Simonetti FR. Learning from Persistent Viremia: Mechanisms and Implications for Clinical Care and HIV-1 Cure. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2023; 20:428-439. [PMID: 37955826 PMCID: PMC10719122 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-023-00674-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In this review, we discuss what persistent viremia has taught us about the biology of the HIV-1 reservoir during antiretroviral therapy (ART). We will also discuss the implications of this phenomenon for HIV-1 cure research and its clinical management. RECENT FINDINGS While residual viremia (RV, 1-3 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml) can be detected in most of people on ART, some individuals experience non-suppressible viremia (NSV, > 20-50 copies/mL) despite optimal adherence. When issues of drug resistance and pharmacokinetics are ruled out, this persistent virus in plasma is the reflection of virus production from clonally expanded CD4+ T cells carrying proviruses. Recent work has shown that a fraction of the proviruses source of NSV are not infectious, due to defects in the 5'-Leader sequence. However, additional viruses and host determinants of NSV are not fully understood. The study of NSV is of prime importance because it represents a challenge for the clinical care of people on ART, and it sheds light on virus-host interactions that could advance HIV-1 remission research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengting Wu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Francesco R Simonetti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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8
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Nouhin J, Tzou PL, Rhee SY, Sahoo MK, Pinsky BA, Krupkin M, Puglisi JD, Puglisi EV, Shafer RW. Human immunodeficiency virus 1 5'-leader mutations in plasma viruses before and after the development of reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistance mutations. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001898. [PMID: 37801004 PMCID: PMC10721937 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) initiation depends on interaction between viral 5'-leader RNA, RT and host tRNA3Lys. Therefore, we sought to identify co-evolutionary changes between the 5'-leader and RT in viruses developing RT-inhibitor resistance mutations. We sequenced 5'-leader positions 37-356 of paired plasma virus samples from 29 individuals developing the nucleoside RT inhibitor (NRTI)-resistance mutation M184V, 19 developing a non-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI)-resistance mutation and 32 untreated controls. 5'-Leader variants were defined as positions where ≥20 % of next-generation sequencing (NGS) reads differed from the HXB2 sequence. Emergent mutations were defined as nucleotides undergoing a ≥4-fold change in proportion between baseline and follow-up. Mixtures were defined as positions containing ≥2 nucleotides each present in ≥20 % of NGS reads. Among 80 baseline sequences, 87 positions (27.2 %) contained a variant; 52 contained a mixture. Position 201 was the only position more likely to develop a mutation in the M184V (9/29 vs 0/32; P=0.0006) or NNRTI-resistance (4/19 vs 0/32; P=0.02; Fisher's exact test) groups than the control group. Mixtures at positions 200 and 201 occurred in 45.0 and 28.8 %, respectively, of baseline samples. Because of the high proportion of mixtures at these positions, we analysed 5'-leader mixture frequencies in two additional datasets: five publications reporting 294 dideoxyterminator clonal GenBank sequences from 42 individuals and six National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) BioProjects reporting NGS datasets from 295 individuals. These analyses demonstrated position 200 and 201 mixtures at proportions similar to those in our samples and at frequencies several times higher than at all other 5'-leader positions. Although we did not convincingly document co-evolutionary changes between RT and 5'-leader sequences, we identified a novel phenomenon, wherein positions 200 and 201 immediately downstream of the HIV-1 primer binding site exhibited an extraordinarily high likelihood of containing a nucleotide mixture. Possible explanations for the high mixture rates are that these positions are particularly error-prone or provide a viral fitness advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Nouhin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Pasteur Network, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Philip Lei Tzou
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Soo-Yon Rhee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Malaya K. Sahoo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin A. Pinsky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Miri Krupkin
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joseph D. Puglisi
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elisabetta V. Puglisi
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert W. Shafer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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9
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Kharytonchyk S, Burnett C, GC K, Telesnitsky A. Transcription start site heterogeneity and its role in RNA fate determination distinguish HIV-1 from other retroviruses and are mediated by core promoter elements. J Virol 2023; 97:e0081823. [PMID: 37681957 PMCID: PMC10537674 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00818-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 uses heterogeneous transcription start sites (TSSs) to generate two RNA 5´ isoforms that adopt radically different structures and perform distinct replication functions. Although these RNAs differ in length by only two bases, exclusively, the shorter RNA is encapsidated while the longer RNA is excluded from virions and provides intracellular functions. The current study examined TSS usage and packaging selectivity for a broad range of retroviruses and found that heterogeneous TSS usage was a conserved feature of all tested HIV-1 strains, but all other retroviruses examined displayed unique TSSs. Phylogenetic comparisons and chimeric viruses' properties provided evidence that this mechanism of RNA fate determination was an innovation of the HIV-1 lineage, with determinants mapping to core promoter elements. Fine-tuning differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2, which uses a unique TSS, implicated purine residue positioning plus a specific TSS-adjacent dinucleotide in specifying multiplicity of TSS usage. Based on these findings, HIV-1 expression constructs were generated that differed from the parental strain by only two point mutations yet each expressed only one of HIV-1's two RNAs. Replication defects of the variant with only the presumptive founder TSS were less severe than those for the virus with only the secondary start site. IMPORTANCE Retroviruses use RNA both to encode their proteins and to serve in place of DNA as their genomes. A recent surprising discovery was that the genomic RNAs and messenger RNAs of HIV-1 are not identical but instead differ subtly on one of their ends. These differences enable the functional separation of HIV-1 RNAs into genome and messenger roles. In this report, we examined a broad collection of HIV-1-related viruses and discovered that each produced only one end class of RNA, and thus must differ from HIV-1 in how they specify RNA fates. By comparing regulatory signals, we generated virus variants that pinpointed the determinants of HIV-1 RNA fates, as well as HIV-1 variants that produced only one or the other functional class of RNA. Competition and replication assays confirmed that HIV-1 has evolved to rely on the coordinated actions of both its RNA forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siarhei Kharytonchyk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Cleo Burnett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Keshav GC
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alice Telesnitsky
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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10
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Nikolaitchik OA, Islam S, Kitzrow JP, Duchon A, Cheng Z, Liu Y, Rawson JMO, Shao W, Nikolaitchik M, Kearney MF, Maldarelli F, Musier-Forsyth K, Pathak VK, Hu WS. HIV-1 usurps transcription start site heterogeneity of host RNA polymerase II to maximize replication fitness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305103120. [PMID: 37252967 PMCID: PMC10266039 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305103120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 relies on host RNA polymeraseII (Pol II) to transcribe its genome and uses multiple transcription start sites (TSS), including three consecutive guanosines located near the U3-R junction, to generate transcripts containing three, two, and one guanosine at the 5' end, referred to as 3G, 2G, and 1G RNA, respectively. The 1G RNA is preferentially selected for packaging, indicating that these 99.9% identical RNAs exhibit functional differences and highlighting the importance of TSS selection. Here, we demonstrate that TSS selection is regulated by sequences between the CATA/TATA box and the beginning of R. Furthermore, we have generated two HIV-1 mutants with distinct 2-nucleotide modifications that predominantly express 3G RNA or 1G RNA. Both mutants can generate infectious viruses and undergo multiple rounds of replication in T cells. However, both mutants exhibit replication defects compared to the wild-type virus. The 3G-RNA-expressing mutant displays an RNA genome-packaging defect and delayed replication kinetics, whereas the 1G-RNA-expressing mutant exhibits reduced Gag expression and a replication fitness defect. Additionally, reversion of the latter mutant is frequently observed, consistent with sequence correction by plus-strand DNA transfer during reverse transcription. These findings demonstrate that HIV-1 maximizes its replication fitness by usurping the TSS heterogeneity of host RNA Pol II to generate unspliced RNAs with different specialized roles in viral replication. The three consecutive guanosines at the junction of U3 and R may also maintain HIV-1 genome integrity during reverse transcription. These studies reveal the intricate regulation of HIV-1 RNA and complex replication strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A. Nikolaitchik
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Saiful Islam
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Jonathan P. Kitzrow
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Alice Duchon
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Zetao Cheng
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Yang Liu
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Jonathan M. O. Rawson
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Wei Shao
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Maria Nikolaitchik
- Clinical Retrovirology Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Mary F. Kearney
- Translation Research Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Frank Maldarelli
- Clinical Retrovirology Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Vinay K. Pathak
- Viral Mutation Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
| | - Wei-Shau Hu
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702
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11
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Kharytonchyk S, Burnett C, Gc K, Telesnitsky A. Transcription start site heterogeneity and its role in RNA fate determination distinguish HIV-1 from other retroviruses and are mediated by core promoter elements. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.22.541776. [PMID: 37292892 PMCID: PMC10245945 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.22.541776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 uses heterogeneous transcription start sites (TSSs) to generate two RNA 5' isoforms that adopt radically different structures and perform distinct replication functions. Although these RNAs differ in length by only two bases, exclusively the shorter RNA is encapsidated while the longer RNA is excluded from virions and provides intracellular functions. The current study examined TSS usage and packaging selectivity for a broad range of retroviruses and found that heterogenous TSS usage was a conserved feature of all tested HIV-1 strains, but all other retroviruses examined displayed unique TSSs. Phylogenetic csomparisons and chimeric viruses' properties provided evidence that this mechanism of RNA fate determination was an innovation of the HIV-1 lineage, with determinants mapping to core promoter elements. Fine-tuning differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2, which uses a unique TSS, implicated purine residue positioning plus a specific TSS-adjacent dinucleotide in specifying multiplicity of TSS usage. Based on these findings, HIV-1 expression constructs were generated that differed from the parental strain by only two point mutations yet each expressed only one of HIV-1's two RNAs. Replication defects of the variant with only the presumptive founder TSS were less severe than those for the virus with only the secondary start site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siarhei Kharytonchyk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5620, USA
| | - Cleo Burnett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5620, USA
| | - Keshav Gc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5620, USA
| | - Alice Telesnitsky
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5620, USA
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12
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White JA, Wu F, Yasin S, Moskovljevic M, Varriale J, Dragoni F, Camilo-Contreras A, Duan J, Zheng MY, Tadzong NF, Patel HB, Quiambao JMC, Rhodehouse K, Zhang H, Lai J, Beg SA, Delannoy M, Kilcrease C, Hoffmann CJ, Poulin S, Chano F, Tremblay C, Cherian J, Barditch-Crovo P, Chida N, Moore RD, Summers MF, Siliciano RF, Siliciano JD, Simonetti FR. Clonally expanded HIV-1 proviruses with 5'-leader defects can give rise to nonsuppressible residual viremia. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:165245. [PMID: 36602866 PMCID: PMC10014112 DOI: 10.1172/jci165245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAntiretroviral therapy (ART) halts HIV-1 replication, decreasing viremia to below the detection limit of clinical assays. However, some individuals experience persistent nonsuppressible viremia (NSV) originating from CD4+ T cell clones carrying infectious proviruses. Defective proviruses represent over 90% of all proviruses persisting during ART and can express viral genes, but whether they can cause NSV and complicate ART management is unknown.MethodsWe undertook an in-depth characterization of proviruses causing NSV in 4 study participants with optimal adherence and no drug resistance. We investigated the impact of the observed defects on 5'-leader RNA properties, virus infectivity, and gene expression. Integration-site specific assays were used to track these proviruses over time and among cell subsets.ResultsClones carrying proviruses with 5'-leader defects can cause persistent NSV up to approximately 103 copies/mL. These proviruses had small, often identical deletions or point mutations involving the major splicing donor (MSD) site and showed partially reduced RNA dimerization and nucleocapsid binding. Nevertheless, they were inducible and produced noninfectious virions containing viral RNA, but lacking envelope.ConclusionThese findings show that proviruses with 5'-leader defects in CD4+ T cell clones can give rise to NSV, affecting clinical care. Sequencing of the 5'-leader can help in understanding failure to completely suppress viremia.FundingOffice of the NIH Director and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH; Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research; National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, to the PAVE, BEAT-HIV, and DARE Martin Delaney collaboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A White
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fengting Wu
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Saif Yasin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Milica Moskovljevic
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph Varriale
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Filippo Dragoni
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jiayi Duan
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mei Y Zheng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ndeh F Tadzong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Heer B Patel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeanelle Mae C Quiambao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kyle Rhodehouse
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jun Lai
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Subul A Beg
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Delannoy
- Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christin Kilcrease
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Cécile Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Immunologie et Infectiologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jerald Cherian
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Patricia Barditch-Crovo
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Natasha Chida
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard D Moore
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael F Summers
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert F Siliciano
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Janet D Siliciano
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Francesco R Simonetti
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Chameettachal A, Mustafa F, Rizvi TA. Understanding Retroviral Life Cycle and its Genomic RNA Packaging. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167924. [PMID: 36535429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Members of the family Retroviridae are important animal and human pathogens. Being obligate parasites, their replication involves a series of steps during which the virus hijacks the cellular machinery. Additionally, many of the steps of retrovirus replication are unique among viruses, including reverse transcription, integration, and specific packaging of their genomic RNA (gRNA) as a dimer. Progress in retrovirology has helped identify several molecular mechanisms involved in each of these steps, but many are still unknown or remain controversial. This review summarizes our present understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in various stages of retrovirus replication. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive analysis of our current understanding of how different retroviruses package their gRNA into the assembling virions. RNA packaging in retroviruses holds a special interest because of the uniqueness of packaging a dimeric genome. Dimerization and packaging are highly regulated and interlinked events, critical for the virus to decide whether its unspliced RNA will be packaged as a "genome" or translated into proteins. Finally, some of the outstanding areas of exploration in the field of RNA packaging are highlighted, such as the role of epitranscriptomics, heterogeneity of transcript start sites, and the necessity of functional polyA sequences. An in-depth knowledge of mechanisms that interplay between viral and cellular factors during virus replication is critical in understanding not only the virus life cycle, but also its pathogenesis, and development of new antiretroviral compounds, vaccines, as well as retroviral-based vectors for human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Chameettachal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. https://twitter.com/chameettachal
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Tahir A Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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14
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Yang X, Liu Y, Cui W, Liu M, Wang W. Distinct Gag interaction properties of HIV-1 RNA 5' leader conformers reveal a mechanism for dimeric genome selection. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:217-227. [PMID: 36384962 PMCID: PMC9891258 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079347.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
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'LT), the RNA in the packaging conformation (5'LP) can bind more Gag molecules. Gag associates with 5'LP faster than it binds to 5'LT, whereas Gag dissociates from 5'LP more slowly. The Gag-5'LP complex is more stable at high salt concentrations. The NC-SP2-p6 region of Gag likely accounts for the faster association and slower dissociation kinetics for the Gag-5'LP interaction and for the higher stability. In summary, our data suggest that conformational changes play an important role in the selection of dimeric genomes, probably by affecting the binding kinetics and stability of the Gag-5'L complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wen Cui
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Office of Research Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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15
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Lei X, Gonçalves-Carneiro D, Zang TM, Bieniasz PD. Initiation of HIV-1 Gag lattice assembly is required for recognition of the viral genome packaging signal. eLife 2023; 12:e83548. [PMID: 36688533 PMCID: PMC9908077 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The encapsidation of HIV-1 gRNA into virions is enabled by the binding of the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein to the structured viral RNA packaging signal (Ψ) at the 5' end of the viral genome. However, the subcellular location and oligomeric status of Gag during the initial Gag-Ψ encounter remain uncertain. Domains other than NC, such as capsid (CA), may therefore indirectly affect RNA recognition. To investigate the contribution of Gag domains to Ψ recognition in a cellular environment, we performed protein-protein crosslinking and protein-RNA crosslinking immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (CLIP-seq) experiments. We demonstrate that NC alone does not bind specifically to Ψ in living cells, whereas full-length Gag and a CANC subdomain bind to Ψ with high specificity. Perturbation of the Ψ RNA structure or NC zinc fingers affected CANC:Ψ binding specificity. Notably, CANC variants with substitutions that disrupt CA:CA dimer, trimer, or hexamer interfaces in the immature Gag lattice also affected RNA binding, and mutants that were unable to assemble a nascent Gag lattice were unable to specifically bind to Ψ. Artificially multimerized NC domains did not specifically bind Ψ. CA variants with substitutions in inositol phosphate coordinating residues that prevent CA hexamerization were also deficient in Ψ binding and second-site revertant mutants that restored CA assembly also restored specific binding to Ψ. Overall, these data indicate that the correct assembly of a nascent immature CA lattice is required for the specific interaction between Gag and Ψ in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lei
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | | | - Trinity M Zang
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller UniversityNew York, New YorkUnited States
| | - Paul D Bieniasz
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller UniversityNew York, New YorkUnited States
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16
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Ding P, Summers MF. Sequestering the 5′‐cap for viral RNA packaging. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200104. [PMID: 36101513 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Many viruses evolved mechanisms for capping the 5'-ends of their plus-strand RNAs as a means of hijacking the eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing/translation machinery. Although capping is critical for replication, the RNAs of these viruses have other essential functions including their requirement to be packaged as either genomes or pre-genomes into progeny viruses. Recent studies indicate that human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) RNAs are segregated between splicing/translation and packaging functions by a mechanism that involves structural sequestration of the 5'-cap. Here, we examined studies reported for other viruses and retrotransposons that require both selective packaging of their RNAs and 5'-RNA capping for host-mediated translation. Our findings suggest that viruses and retrotransposons have evolved multiple mechanisms to control 5'-cap accessibility, consistent with the hypothesis that removal or sequestration of the 5' cap enables packageable RNAs to avoid capture by the cellular RNA processing and translation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Michael F. Summers
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore Maryland USA
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17
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Rawson JMO, Nikolaitchik OA, Shakya S, Keele BF, Pathak VK, Hu WS. Transcription Start Site Heterogeneity and Preferential Packaging of Specific Full-Length RNA Species Are Conserved Features of Primate Lentiviruses. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0105322. [PMID: 35736240 PMCID: PMC9430795 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01053-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 must package its RNA genome to generate infectious viruses. Recent studies have revealed that during genome packaging, HIV-1 not only excludes cellular mRNAs, but also distinguishes among full-length viral RNAs. Using NL4-3 and MAL molecular clones, multiple transcription start sites (TSS) were identified, which generate full-length RNAs that differ by only a few nucleotides at the 5' end. However, HIV-1 selectively packages RNAs containing one guanosine (1G RNA) over RNAs with three guanosines (3G RNA) at the 5' end. Thus, the 5' context of HIV-1 full-length RNA can affect its function. To determine whether the regulation of genome packaging by TSS usage is unique to NL4-3 and MAL, we examined 15 primate lentiviruses including transmitted founder viruses of HIV-1, HIV-2, and several simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). We found that all 15 viruses used multiple TSS to some extent. However, the level of TSS heterogeneity in infected cells varied greatly, even among closely related viruses belonging to the same subtype. Most viruses also exhibited selective packaging of specific full-length viral RNA species into particles. These findings demonstrate that TSS heterogeneity and selective packaging of certain full-length viral RNA species are conserved features of primate lentiviruses. In addition, an SIV strain closely related to the progenitor virus that gave rise to HIV-1 group M, the pandemic pathogen, exhibited TSS usage similar to some HIV-1 strains and preferentially packaged 1G RNA. These findings indicate that multiple TSS usage and selective packaging of a particular unspliced RNA species predate the emergence of HIV-1. IMPORTANCE Unspliced HIV-1 RNA serves two important roles during viral replication: as the virion genome and as the template for translation of Gag/Gag-Pol. Previous studies of two HIV-1 molecular clones have concluded that the TSS usage affects unspliced HIV-1 RNA structures and functions. To investigate the evolutionary origin of this replication strategy, we determined TSS of HIV-1 RNA in infected cells and virions for 15 primate lentiviruses. All HIV-1 isolates examined, including several transmitted founder viruses, utilized multiple TSS and selected a particular RNA species for packaging. Furthermore, these features were observed in SIVs related to the progenitors of HIV-1, suggesting that these characteristics originated from the ancestral viruses. HIV-2, SIVs related to HIV-2, and other SIVs also exhibited multiple TSS and preferential packaging of specific unspliced RNA species, demonstrating that this replication strategy is broadly conserved across primate lentiviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. O. Rawson
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Olga A. Nikolaitchik
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Saurabh Shakya
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Brandon F. Keele
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Vinay K. Pathak
- Viral Mutation Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Wei-Shau Hu
- Viral Recombination Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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18
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Upstream of N-Ras (Unr/CSDE1) Interacts with NCp7 and Gag, Modulating HIV-1 IRES-Mediated Translation Initiation. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081798. [PMID: 36016420 PMCID: PMC9413769 DOI: 10.3390/v14081798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid protein (NC) as a mature protein or as a domain of the Gag precursor plays important roles in the early and late phases of the infection. To better understand its roles, we searched for new cellular partners and identified the RNA-binding protein Unr/CSDE1, Upstream of N-ras, whose interaction with Gag and NCp7 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and FRET-FLIM. Unr interaction with Gag was found to be RNA-dependent and mediated by its NC domain. Using a dual luciferase assay, Unr was shown to act as an ITAF (IRES trans-acting factor), increasing the HIV-1 IRES-dependent translation. Point mutations of the HIV-1 IRES in a consensus Unr binding motif were found to alter both the IRES activity and its activation by Unr, suggesting a strong dependence of the IRES on Unr. Interestingly, Unr stimulatory effect is counteracted by NCp7, while Gag increases the Unr-promoted IRES activity, suggesting a differential Unr effect on the early and late phases of viral infection. Finally, knockdown of Unr in HeLa cells leads to a decrease in infection by a non-replicative lentivector, proving its functional implication in the early phase of viral infection.
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19
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Beemon KL. Retroviral RNA Processing. Viruses 2022; 14:v14051113. [PMID: 35632854 PMCID: PMC9143442 DOI: 10.3390/v14051113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
This review is an accompaniment to a Special Issue on “Retroviral RNA Processing”. It discusses post-transcriptional regulation of retroviruses, ranging from the ancient foamy viruses to more modern viruses, such as HIV-1, HTLV-1, Rous sarcoma virus, murine leukemia virus, mouse mammary tumor virus, and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus. This review is not comprehensive. However, it tries to address some of the major questions in the field with examples of how different retroviruses express their genes. It is amazing that a single primary RNA transcript can have so many possible fates: genomic RNA, unspliced mRNA, and up to 50 different alternatively spliced mRNAs. This review will discuss the sorting of RNAs for packaging or translation, RNA nuclear export mechanisms, splicing, translation, RNA modifications, and avoidance of nonsense-mediated RNA decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Beemon
- Biology Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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20
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Hanson HM, Willkomm NA, Yang H, Mansky LM. Human Retrovirus Genomic RNA Packaging. Viruses 2022; 14:1094. [PMID: 35632835 PMCID: PMC9142903 DOI: 10.3390/v14051094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Two non-covalently linked copies of the retrovirus genome are specifically recruited to the site of virus particle assembly and packaged into released particles. Retroviral RNA packaging requires RNA export of the unspliced genomic RNA from the nucleus, translocation of the genome to virus assembly sites, and specific interaction with Gag, the main viral structural protein. While some aspects of the RNA packaging process are understood, many others remain poorly understood. In this review, we provide an update on recent advancements in understanding the mechanism of RNA packaging for retroviruses that cause disease in humans, i.e., HIV-1, HIV-2, and HTLV-1, as well as advances in the understanding of the details of genomic RNA nuclear export, genome translocation to virus assembly sites, and genomic RNA dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M. Hanson
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Nora A. Willkomm
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
- DDS-PhD Dual Degree Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Huixin Yang
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
- Comparative Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
| | - Louis M. Mansky
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
- DDS-PhD Dual Degree Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Comparative Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Division of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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21
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Boris-Lawrie K, Singh G, Osmer PS, Zucko D, Staller S, Heng X. Anomalous HIV-1 RNA, How Cap-Methylation Segregates Viral Transcripts by Form and Function. Viruses 2022; 14:935. [PMID: 35632676 PMCID: PMC9145092 DOI: 10.3390/v14050935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of m7G-cap-binding proteins is now recognized as a major variable driving the form and function of host RNAs. This manuscript compares the 5'-cap-RNA binding proteins that engage HIV-1 precursor RNAs, host mRNAs, small nuclear (sn)- and small nucleolar (sno) RNAs and sort into disparate RNA-fate pathways. Before completion of the transcription cycle, the transcription start site of nascent class II RNAs is appended to a non-templated guanosine that is methylated (m7G-cap) and bound by hetero-dimeric CBP80-CBP20 cap binding complex (CBC). The CBC is a nexus for the co-transcriptional processing of precursor RNAs to mRNAs and the snRNA and snoRNA of spliceosomal and ribosomal ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Just as sn/sno-RNAs experience hyper-methylation of m7G-cap to trimethylguanosine (TMG)-cap, so do select HIV RNAs and an emerging cohort of mRNAs. TMG-cap is blocked from Watson:Crick base pairing and disqualified from participating in secondary structure. The HIV TMG-cap has been shown to license select viral transcripts for specialized cap-dependent translation initiation without eIF4E that is dependent upon CBP80/NCBP3. The exceptional activity of HIV precursor RNAs secures their access to maturation pathways of sn/snoRNAs, canonical and non-canonical host mRNAs in proper stoichiometry to execute the retroviral replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Boris-Lawrie
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA; (G.S.); (D.Z.)
| | - Gatikrushna Singh
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA; (G.S.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Patrick S. Osmer
- Department of Astronomy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Dora Zucko
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA; (G.S.); (D.Z.)
| | - Seth Staller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Xiao Heng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
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22
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van Heuvel Y, Schatz S, Rosengarten JF, Stitz J. Infectious RNA: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Biology, Therapeutic Intervention, and the Quest for a Vaccine. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020138. [PMID: 35202165 PMCID: PMC8876946 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Different mechanisms mediate the toxicity of RNA. Genomic retroviral mRNA hijacks infected host cell factors to enable virus replication. The viral genomic RNA of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encompasses nine genes encoding in less than 10 kb all proteins needed for replication in susceptible host cells. To do so, the genomic RNA undergoes complex alternative splicing to facilitate the synthesis of the structural, accessory, and regulatory proteins. However, HIV strongly relies on the host cell machinery recruiting cellular factors to complete its replication cycle. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) targets different steps in the cycle, preventing disease progression to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The comprehension of the host immune system interaction with the virus has fostered the development of a variety of vaccine platforms. Despite encouraging provisional results in vaccine trials, no effective vaccine has been developed, yet. However, novel promising vaccine platforms are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin van Heuvel
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3-9, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schatz
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3-9, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jamila Franca Rosengarten
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3-9, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörn Stitz
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Correspondence:
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23
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Show your cap or be packaged into HIV-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2115344118. [PMID: 34583998 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115344118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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