Host factors for retroviral integration site selection

Z Debyser, F Christ, J De Rijck, R Gijsbers - Trends in biochemical …, 2015 - cell.com
Z Debyser, F Christ, J De Rijck, R Gijsbers
Trends in biochemical sciences, 2015cell.com
To achieve productive infection, retroviruses such as HIV stably integrate their reverse
transcribed RNA genome into a host chromosome. Each retroviral family preferentially
integrates near a unique subset of genomic features. HIV integrase (IN) is targeted to the
body of active transcription units through interaction with lens epithelium-derived growth
factor (LEDGF/p75). We describe the successful effort to develop inhibitors of the interaction
between IN and LEDGF/p75, referred to as LEDGINs. Gammaretroviruses display a distinct …
To achieve productive infection, retroviruses such as HIV stably integrate their reverse transcribed RNA genome into a host chromosome. Each retroviral family preferentially integrates near a unique subset of genomic features. HIV integrase (IN) is targeted to the body of active transcription units through interaction with lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75). We describe the successful effort to develop inhibitors of the interaction between IN and LEDGF/p75, referred to as LEDGINs. Gammaretroviruses display a distinct integration pattern. Recently, BET (bromo- and extraterminal domain) proteins were identified as the LEDGF/p75 counterparts that target the integration of gammaretroviruses. The identification of the chromatin-readers LEDGF/p75 and BET as cellular cofactors that orchestrate lentiviral or gammaretroviral integration opens new avenues to developing safer viral vectors for gene therapy.
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