Abstract
Integration into a host genome is essential for retrovirus infection and is catalyzed by a nucleoprotein complex (Intasome) containing the virus-encoded integrase (IN) and the reverse transcribed (RT) virus copy DNA (cDNA). Previous studies suggested that integration was limited by intasome-host DNA recognition progressions. Using single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) we show that PFV intasomes pause at nicked and gapped DNA, which targeted site-directed integration without inducing significant intasome conformational alterations. Base excision repair (BER) components that affect retroviral integration in vivo produce similar nick/gap intermediates during DNA lesion processing. Intasome pause dynamics was modified by the 5’-nick/gap chemistry, while an 8-oxo-guanine lesion, a mismatch, or a nucleotide insertion that induce backbone flexibility and/or static bends had no effect. These results suggest that dynamic often non-productive intasome-DNA interactions may be modulated to target retroviral integration.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
