Fully-spliced HIV-1 RNAs are reverse transcribed with similar efficiencies as the genomic RNA in virions and cells, but more efficiently in AZT-treated cells
2007
HIV-1 Reverse Transcription of Spliced RNAs
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Laurent Houzet, Zakia Morichaud, Marylène Mougel
Primary Institution: CPBS, UMI, CNRS, Montpellier, France
Hypothesis
Are spliced HIV RNAs reverse transcribed as efficiently as genomic RNA in virions and cells?
Conclusion
Spliced HIV RNAs are reverse transcribed as efficiently as genomic RNA, but are less sensitive to the reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT.
Supporting Evidence
- Spliced HIV RNAs are present in infectious particles and participate in early steps of infection.
- Reverse transcription of spliced RNAs is 56-fold less sensitive to AZT than genomic RNA.
- Both spliced and full-length RNAs are reverse transcribed with similar efficiencies in infected cells.
Takeaway
This study found that spliced forms of HIV RNA are copied into DNA just as well as the full-length versions, even when a common treatment is used.
Methodology
The study used RT-QPCR and QPCR strategies to analyze reverse transcription of spliced and full-length HIV RNAs in infected cells.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website