The avian retroviral IN protein is both necessary and sufficient for integrative recombination in vitro |
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Authors: | R A Katz G Merkel J Kulkosky J Leis A M Skalka |
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Affiliation: | Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111. |
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Abstract: | The integration of viral DNA into the host cell chromosome is an essential feature of the retroviral life cycle. The integration reaction requires cis-acting sequences at the ends of linear viral DNA and a trans-acting product of the pol gene, the integration protein (IN). Previously, we demonstrated that avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (ASLV) IN is able to carry out the first step in the integration process in vitro: nicking of the ends of linear viral DNA. In this paper, using two independent assays, we demonstrate that IN, alone, is sufficient to carry out the second step: cleavage and joining to the target DNA. These results demonstrate that the retroviral IN protein is an integrase. |
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