Substrate Recognition by Retroviral Integrases

• Published in: Advances in Virus Research Vol. 52; pp. 371 - 395
• Main Authors: Katzman, Michael, Katz, Richard A.
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Science & Technology 1999
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Animals; DNA - metabolism; DNA, Viral - metabolism; HIV Integrase - metabolism; Humans; Integrases - metabolism; Retroviridae - enzymology; Retrovirus; Substrate Specificity
• ISBN: 0120398524; 9780120398522
• ISSN: 0065-3527; 1557-8399
• DOI: 10.1016/S0065-3527(08)60307-3

This chapter focuses on the in vitro and in vivo data that have shaped the understanding of how retroviral Integrases (INs) recognize the viral and host DNA substrates. These studies have contributed to the current models of integration and could lead to the development of specific inhibitors that target the protein-DNA interactions involved. Substrate recognition by the retroviral IN enzyme is critical for retroviral integration. To catalyze this recombination event, IN must recognize and act on two types of substrates––viral DNA and host DNA––yet the necessary interactions exhibit markedly different degrees of specificity. Although particular sequences at the viral DNA termini are recognized by IN, many hosts DNA sequences can serve as the target for integration. Over the past decade, both in vitro and in vivo data have contributed to the understanding of how IN recognizes its substrates. This chapter discusses the sequence and structure requirements for the recognition of viral and hosts DNA, by different retroviral INs and discusses recent progress in mapping protein domains involved in these interactions.