Control of Initiation of Viral Plus Strand DNA Synthesis by HIV Reverse Transcriptase

• DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.7.3808
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T15:13:03Z
• Authors: Chockalingam Pala...; Jin K. Kim; Michele Wisniewski; Philip J. Fay; Robert A. Bambara
• Keywords: Primer (cosmetics); Primer binding site; Rolling circle replication; Primase

Human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcribes its single-stranded RNA genome making a DNA copy. As synthesis proceeds, the is simultaneously degraded to oligomers; one of these, polypurine tract, primes plus strand DNA. The viral transcriptase (RT) degrades all non-polypurine tract oligomers. We show that unlike other polymerases retroviral RT can bind either end an annealed primer, 5′-end for degradation and 3′-end synthesis. competition between two binding modes at any primer determines whether it will be extended or degraded. suppressed in least ways. sequence such region unannealed just adjacent primer. This promotes 3′-end, allowing would normally extended. Implications human replication antiviral therapy are discussed.