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Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Amplification, Next-generation Sequencing, and Genomic DNA Mapping of Retroviral Integration Sites
Published on: March 22, 2016
The avian retroviral IN protein is both necessary and sufficient for integrative recombination in vitro
R A Katz1, G Merkel, J Kulkosky
1Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111.
Abstract:
The integration of viral DNA into the host cell chromosome is an essential feature of the retroviral life cycle. The integration reaction requires cis-acting sequences at the ends of linear viral DNA and a trans-acting product of the pol gene, the integration protein (IN). Previously, we demonstrated that avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (ASLV) IN is able to carry out the first step in the integration process in vitro: nicking of the ends of linear viral DNA. In this paper, using two independent assays, we demonstrate that IN, alone, is sufficient to carry out the second step: cleavage and joining to the target DNA. These results demonstrate that the retroviral IN protein is an integrase.
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