Unusual DNA structures at the integration site of an HIV provirus

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1989 May 30;161(1):134-42. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(89)91571-4.

Abstract

Supercoiled pHXBc2 DNA (containing the genome of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and human sequences) migrated more slowly than linear DNA in native and ethidium bromide agarose gel electrophoresis at 4.5 volts/cm, suggesting the presence of unusual DNA structures. S1 nuclease analysis of pHXBc2 revealed two S1 hypersensitive sites. Site I was located within a 25 bp direct repeat in host DNA 0.6 kB upstream from the 5' LTR. Site II was mapped 0.2 kB upstream from the vif gene start site. Sequence analysis showed that Site I sequences could assume different unusual DNA structures, whereas sequences at Site II could assume either slipped or H-DNA forms. Unusual DNA structures in host DNA may be associated with active chromatin regions and may favor proviral integration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Superhelical*
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
  • Endonucleases
  • Genes, Viral*
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Proviruses / genetics*
  • Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Superhelical
  • Endonucleases
  • Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/M26709