Retroviridae are unique among virus families in that one virion packages two full-length copies of its genome. However, each infectious event generates only one provirus;thus, retroviruses are pseudodiploid. We do not fully understand the benefit of pseudodiploidy, and we propose to examine the benefit of packaging two RNAs in one virion. Additionally, the exact mechanisms that retroviruses use to package two RNAs are not currently understood. We have performed experiments examining the mechanisms of copackaged RNA partner selection and have demonstrated that the DIS sequence plays an important role in this process. In our experimental system, we can increase or decrease heterozygous virus formation by manipulating the DIS sequences of the two viruses. These results suggest that Gag recognizes and packages an RNA dimer rather than two monomers. We have developed an imaging method to directly examine RNA in the viral particles (single-virion analysis). By this method, we have determined that most HIV-1 particles contain one RNA dimer. Using various approaches, we have also concluded that HIV-1 Gag mostly packages dimeric RNA, which initiates dimerization in the cytoplasm;a major determinant for copackaged RNA partner selection is the dimerization initiation signal (DIS);and although RNA transported to the cytoplasm using either the CRM-1 and NXF1 pathway can be packaged efficiently, copackaging of these two RNAs is not favored. We will continue to investigate the mechanisms of viral RNA packaging and RNA trafficking, including the regulation of packaged RNA copy number and partner selection, and HIV-1 RNA nuclear export and trafficking. Additionally, we will modify and redirect RNA packaging specificity and RNA trafficking to gain a better understanding of these processes and how they affect retroviral replication. These studies will shed light on one of the most fundamental features of retroviral replication and will illustrate both the advantages and the limitations of pseudodiploidy. [Corresponds to Hu Project 2 in the April 2007 site visit report of the HIV Drug Resistance Program]

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIABC010814-04
Application #
8157474
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$480,299
Indirect Cost
Name
National Cancer Institute Division of Basic Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
Liu, Yang; Chen, Jianbo; Nikolaitchik, Olga A et al. (2018) The roles of five conserved lentiviral RNA structures in HIV-1 replication. Virology 514:1-8
Liu, Yang; Nikolaitchik, Olga A; Rahman, Sheikh Abdul et al. (2017) HIV-1 Sequence Necessary and Sufficient to Package Non-viral RNAs into HIV-1 Particles. J Mol Biol 429:2542-2555
Desimmie, Belete A; Burdick, Ryan C; Izumi, Taisuke et al. (2016) APOBEC3 proteins can copackage and comutate HIV-1 genomes. Nucleic Acids Res :
Chen, Jianbo; Grunwald, David; Sardo, Luca et al. (2014) Cytoplasmic HIV-1 RNA is mainly transported by diffusion in the presence or absence of Gag protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:E5205-13
Kuzembayeva, Malika; Dilley, Kari; Sardo, Luca et al. (2014) Life of psi: how full-length HIV-1 RNAs become packaged genomes in the viral particles. Virology 454-455:362-70
Nikolaitchik, Olga A; Hu, Wei-Shau (2014) Deciphering the role of the Gag-Pol ribosomal frameshift signal in HIV-1 RNA genome packaging. J Virol 88:4040-6
Nikolaitchik, Olga A; Dilley, Kari A; Fu, William et al. (2013) Dimeric RNA recognition regulates HIV-1 genome packaging. PLoS Pathog 9:e1003249
Dilley, Kari A; Ni, Na; Nikolaitchik, Olga A et al. (2011) Determining the frequency and mechanisms of HIV-1 and HIV-2 RNA copackaging by single-virion analysis. J Virol 85:10499-508
Ni, Na; Nikolaitchik, Olga A; Dilley, Kari A et al. (2011) Mechanisms of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 RNA packaging: efficient trans packaging and selection of RNA copackaging partners. J Virol 85:7603-12
Hussein, Islam T M; Ni, Na; Galli, Andrea et al. (2010) Delineation of the preferences and requirements of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 dimerization initiation signal by using an in vivo cell-based selection approach. J Virol 84:6866-75

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