Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
13:07
Determining 3'-Termini and Sequences of Nascent Single-Stranded Viral DNA Molecules during HIV-1 Reverse Transcription in Infected Cells
Published on: January 30, 2019
9.5K
The HIV-1 capsid and reverse transcription
Christopher Aiken1, Itay Rousso2
1Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. chris.aiken@vumc.org.
Retrovirology
|September 26, 2021
Summary
The viral capsid is crucial for HIV-1 reverse transcription. The molecule IP6 stabilizes the capsid, enhancing this process and influencing its disassembly.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- The viral capsid is essential for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication.
- Reverse transcription is a critical step in the HIV-1 life cycle, converting viral RNA into DNA.
- The capsid undergoes significant biophysical changes during reverse transcription, leading to its disassembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding the role of the viral capsid in HIV-1 reverse transcription.
- To explore hypotheses regarding capsid-dependent reverse transcription.
- To present a model for reverse transcription-primed HIV-1 uncoating.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on HIV-1 reverse transcription and capsid function.
- Analysis of biophysical changes in the viral capsid during reverse transcription.
- Formulation of hypotheses and a model based on existing research.
Main Results:
- The small molecule IP6 stabilizes the viral capsid, significantly enhancing in vitro reverse transcription.
- Reverse transcription induces substantial alterations in capsid biophysical properties.
- These alterations ultimately lead to capsid breakage and disassembly.
Conclusions:
- The viral capsid's integrity and stability are critical for efficient HIV-1 reverse transcription.
- IP6 represents a potential therapeutic target for modulating HIV-1 replication by stabilizing the capsid.
- A model for reverse transcription-primed uncoating provides insights into the late stages of viral replication.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
246
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
246
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
259
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
259
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
47.7K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
47.7K
02:33Retroviruses
13.0K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
13.0K
03:08LTR Retrotransposons
18.2K
LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
18.2K
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
5.4K
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
5.4K