Two-long terminal repeat (LTR) DNA circles are a substrate for HIV-1 integrase [Enzymology]

In this report, using in vitro experiments with purified proteins and DNAs along with DNA endonuclease and in vivo integration assays, we show that this circularized genome can also be efficiently used as a substrate in HIV-1 integrase-mediated integration both in vitro and in eukaryotic cells. Notably, we demonstrate that the palindrome cleavage occurs via a two-step mechanism leading to a blunt-ended DNA product, followed by a classical 3′-processing reaction; this cleavage leads to integrase-dependent integration, highlighted by a 5-bp duplication of the host genome. Our results suggest that 2-LTRc may constitute a reserve supply of HIV-1 genomes for proviral integration.

Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - May 16, 2019 Category: Chemistry Authors: Clemence Richetta, Sylvain Thierry, Eloise Thierry, Paul Lesbats, Delphine Lapaillerie, Soundasse Munir, Frederic Subra, Herve Leh, Eric Deprez, Vincent Parissi, Olivier Delelis Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research