Skip NavigationSkip to Content
Return Return to Search Results

In the beginning: Initiation of minus strand DNA synthesis in retroviruses and LTR-containing retrotransposons

  1. Author:
    Le Grice, S. F. J.

  2. Author Address

    NCI, Reverse Transcriptase Biochem Sect, Resistance Mech Lab, HIV Drug Resistance Program, Frederick, MD 21702 USA NCI, Reverse Transcriptase Biochem Sect, Resistance Mech Lab, HIV Drug Resistance Program, Frederick, MD 21702 USA Le Grice SFJ NCI, Reverse Transcriptase Biochem Sect, Resistance Mech Lab, HIV Drug Resistance Program, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
    1. Year: 2003
  2. Journal: Biochemistry
    1. 42
    2. 49
    3. Pages: 14349-14355
  4. Type of Article: Article
  1. Abstract:

    Sequestering a host-coded tRNA for initiation of minus (-) strand DNA synthesis is central to the reverse transcription cycle of a number of retroviruses and long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons. However, "self-priming" from a hydrolysis product of the viral genome has been observed for the LTR retrotransposon Tf1 and most likely exists for related elements. Furthermore, in contrast to retroviruses, where DNA synthesis is initiated from the 3'-terminus of the cognate tRNA primer, examples are available where nucleotides of the tRNA anticodon domain are complementary to the viral primer binding site (PBS), necessitating internal cleavage of the primer to provide the appropriate 3'-OH for DNA synthesis. Thus, although the ensuing steps of reverse transcription are common to these elements, several variations in which the replication primer is used have been exploited. In addition, the PBS of the viral RNA genome can vary in size from an 11 nt sequence, through a bipartite cis-acting element, to 18 contiguous nucleotides complementary to the 3'-end of the replication primer. These diverse tRNA-viral RNA interactions, and their consequences for initiation of (-) strand DNA synthesis, are the subject of this review.

    See More

  1. Keywords:

External Sources

  1. No sources found.

Library Notes

  1. No notes added.
NCI at Frederick

You are leaving a government website.

This external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. The government cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.

Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by this institution or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site's privacy policy when you follow the link.

ContinueCancel