The pre-integration complex (PIC) is a
nucleoprotein
Nucleoproteins are proteins conjugated with nucleic acids (either DNA or RNA). Typical nucleoproteins include ribosomes, nucleosomes and viral nucleocapsid proteins.
Structures
Nucleoproteins tend to be positively charged, facilitating int ...
complex of viral
genetic material
Nucleic acids are biopolymers, macromolecules, essential to all known forms of life. They are composed of nucleotides, which are the monomers made of three components: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. The two main cla ...
and associated viral and host proteins which is capable of inserting a viral genome into a host genome. The PIC forms after uncoating of a viral particle after entry into the host cell. In the case of the
human immunodeficiency virus
The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the ...
(HIV), the PIC forms after the Reverse Transcription Complex (RTC) has reverse transcribed the viral RNA into DNA.
The PIC consists of viral proteins (including
Vpr
Vpr is a Human immunodeficiency virus gene and protein product.
Vpr stands for "Viral Protein R". Vpr, a 96 amino acid 14-kDa protein, plays an important role in regulating nuclear import of the HIV-1 pre-integration complex, and is required for ...
,
matrix
Matrix most commonly refers to:
* ''The Matrix'' (franchise), an American media franchise
** ''The Matrix'', a 1999 science-fiction action film
** "The Matrix", a fictional setting, a virtual reality environment, within ''The Matrix'' (franchis ...
and
integrase
Retroviral integrase (IN) is an enzyme produced by a retrovirus (such as HIV) that integrates—forms covalent links between—its genetic information into that of the host cell it infects. Retroviral INs are not to be confused with phage int ...
), host proteins (including
Barrier to autointegration factor 1
Barrier-to-autointegration factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''BANF1'' gene. It is a member of the barrier-to-autointegration factor family of proteins.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene was identified by its abilit ...
) and the viral DNA.
The PIC enters the cellular nucleus through the
nuclear pore complex
A nuclear pore is a part of a large complex of proteins, known as a nuclear pore complex that spans the nuclear envelope, which is the double membrane surrounding the eukaryotic cell nucleus. There are approximately 1,000 nuclear pore complexes ...
without disrupting the
nuclear envelope, thus allowing HIV and related
retroviruses to replicate in non-dividing cells. Following nuclear entry, the PIC's DNA payload may be integrated into the host
DNA as a "
provirus".
See also
*
HIV
The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...
*
Barrier to autointegration factor 1
Barrier-to-autointegration factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''BANF1'' gene. It is a member of the barrier-to-autointegration factor family of proteins.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene was identified by its abilit ...
References
External links
*http://www.mcld.co.uk/hiv/?q=preintegration%20complex
*
Virology
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