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Reviewed, UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot P04587 (POL_HV1B5)

Last modified July 22, 2008. Version 108. Feed History...

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Names and origin · Protein attributes · General annotation (Comments) · Ontologies · Alternative products · Sequence annotation (Features) · Sequences · References · Web resources · Cross-references · Entry information · Relevant documents

Names and origin

Protein namesRecommended name:
    Gag-Pol polyprotein
Alternative name(s):
    Pr160Gag-Pol
Cleaved into 11 chains:
  Recommended name:
      Matrix protein p17
        Short name(s)=MA
  Recommended name:
      Capsid protein p24
        Short name(s)=CA
  Recommended name:
      Spacer peptide p2
  Recommended name:
      Nucleocapsid protein p7
        Short name(s)=NC
  Recommended name:
      Transframe peptide
        Short name(s)=TF
  Recommended name:
      p6-pol
        Short name(s)=p6*
  Recommended name:
      Protease
      EC=3.4.23.16
  Alternative name(s):
      Retropepsin
      PR
  Recommended name:
      Reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H
      EC=2.7.7.49
      EC=2.7.7.7
      EC=3.1.26.4
  Alternative name(s):
      p66 RT
  Recommended name:
      p51 RT
  Recommended name:
      p15
  Recommended name:
      Integrase
        Short name(s)=IN
Gene names
Name: gag-pol
OrganismHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 (isolate BH5 group M subtype B) (HIV-1)
Taxonomic identifier11682 [NCBI]
Taxonomic lineageVirusesRetro-transcribing virusesRetroviridaeOrthoretrovirinaeLentivirusPrimate lentivirus group
Virus hostHomo sapiens (Human) [TaxID: 9606]

Protein attributes

Sequence length1447 AA.
Sequence statusComplete.
Sequence processingThe displayed sequence is further processed into a mature form.
Protein existenceEvidence at protein level.

General annotation (Comments)

Function

Gag-Pol polyprotein and Gag polyprotein may regulate their own translation, by the binding genomic RNA in the 5'-UTR. At low concentration, Gag-Pol and Gag would promote translation, whereas at high concentration, the polyproteins encapsidate genomic RNA and then shutt off translation By similarity.

Matrix protein p17 has two main functions: in infected cell, it targets Gag and Gag-pol polyproteins to the plasma membrane via a multipartite membrane-binding signal, that includes its myristoylated N-terminus. The second function is to plays a role in nuclear localization of the viral genome at the very start of cell infection. Matrix protein is the part of the pre-integration complex. It binds in the cytoplasm the human BAF protein which prevent autointegration of the viral genome, and might be included in virions at the ration of zero to 3 BAF dimer per virion. The myristoylation signal and the NLS thus exert conflicting influences its subcellular localization. The key regulation of these motifs might be phosphorylation of a portion of MA molecules on the C-terminal tyrosine at the time of virus maturation, by virion-associated cellular tyrosine kinase. Implicated in the release from host cell mediated by Vpu By similarity.

Capsid protein p24 forms the conical core that encapsulates the genomic RNA-nucleocapsid complex in the virion. Most core are conical, with only 7% tubular. The core is constituted by capsid protein hexamer subunits. The core is dissassembled soon after virion entry. Interaction with human PPIA/CYPA protects the virus from restriction by human TRIM5-alpha and from an unknown antiviral activity in human cells. This capsid restriction by TRIM5 is one of the factors which restricts HIV-1 to the human species By similarity.

Nucleocapsid protein p7 encapsulates and protects viral dimeric unspliced (genomic) RNA. Binds these RNAs through its zinc fingers. Facilitates rearangement of nucleic acid secondary structure during retrotranscription of genomic RNA. This capability is referred to as nucleic acid chaperone activity By similarity.

The aspartyl protease mediates proteolytic cleavages of Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins during or shortly after the release of the virion from the plasma membrane. Cleavages take place as an ordered, step-wise cascade to yield mature proteins. This process is called maturation. Displays maximal activity during the budding process just prior to particle release from the cell. Also cleaves Nef and Vif, probably concomitantly with viral structural proteins on maturation of virus particles By similarity.

Reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT) is a multifunctional enzyme that converts the viral RNA genome into dsDNA in the cytoplasm, shortly after virus entry into the cell. This enzyme displays a DNA polymerase activity that can copy either DNA or RNA templates, and a ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity that cleaves the RNA strand of RNA-DNA heteroduplexes in a partially processive 3' to 5' endonucleasic mode. Conversion of viral genomic RNA into dsDNA requires many steps. A tRNA(3)-Lys binds to the primer-binding site (PBS) situated at the 5'-end of the viral RNA. RT uses the 3' end of the tRNA primer to perform a short round of RNA-dependent minus-strand DNA synthesis. The reading proceeds through the U5 region and ends after the repeated (R) region which is present at both ends of viral RNA. The portion of the RNA-DNA heteroduplex is digested by the RNase H, resulting in a ssDNA product attached to the tRNA primer. This ssDNA/tRNA hybridizes with the identical R region situated at the 3' end of viral RNA. This template exchange, known as minus-strand DNA strong stop transfer, can be either intra- or intermolecular. RT uses the 3' end of this newly synthesized short ssDNA to perform the RNA-dependent minus-strand DNA synthesis of the whole template. RNase H digests the RNA template except for two polypurine tracts (PPTs) situated at the 5'-end and near the center of the genome. It is not clear if both polymerase and RNase H activities are simultaneous. RNase H probably can proceed both in a polymerase-dependent (RNA cut into small fragments by the same RT performing DNA synthesis) and a polymerase-independent mode (cleavage of remaining RNA fragments by free RTs). Secondly, RT performs DNA-directed plus-strand DNA synthesis using the PPTs that have not been removed by RNase H as primers. PPTs and tRNA primers are then removed by RNase H. The 3' and 5' ssDNA PBS regions hybridize to form a circular dsDNA intermediate. Strand displacement synthesis by RT to the PBS and PPT ends produces a blunt ended, linear dsDNA copy of the viral genome that includes long terminal repeats (LTRs) at both ends By similarity.

Integrase catalyzes viral DNA integration into the host chromosome, by performing a series of DNA cutting and joining reactions. This enzyme activity takes place after virion entry into a cell and reverse transcription of the RNA genome in dsDNA. The first step in the integration process is 3' processing. This step requires a complex comprising the viral genome, matrix protein, Vpr and integrase. This complex is called the pre-integration complex (PIC). The integrase protein removes 2 nucleotides from each 3' end of the viral DNA, leaving recessed CA OH's at the 3' ends. In the second step, the PIC enters cell nucleus. This process is mediated through integrase and Vpr proteins, and allow the virus to infect a non dividing cell. This ability to enter the nucleus is specific of lentiviruses, other retroviruses cannot and rely on cell division to access cell chromosomes. In the third step, termed strand transfer, the integrase protein joins the previously processed 3' ends to the 5' ends of strands of target cellular DNA at the site of integration. The 5'-ends are produced by integrase-catalyzed staggered cuts, 5 bp apart. A Y-shaped, gapped, recombination intermediate results, with the 5'-ends of the viral DNA strands and the 3' ends of target DNA strands remaining unjoined, flanking a gap of 5 bp. The last step is viral DNA integration into host chromosome. This involves host DNA repair synthesis in which the 5 bp gaps between the unjoined strands are filled in and then ligated. Since this process occurs at both cuts flanking the HIV genome, a 5 bp duplication of host DNA is produced at the ends of HIV-1 integration. Alternatively, Integrase may catalyze the excision of viral DNA just after strand transfer, this is termed disintegration By similarity.

Catalytic activity

Specific for a P1 residue that is hydrophobic, and P1' variable, but often Pro.

Endonucleolytic cleavage to 5'-phosphomonoester.

Deoxynucleoside triphosphate + DNA(n) = diphosphate + DNA(n+1).

Cofactor

Binds 2 magnesium ions for reverse transcriptase polymerase activity By similarity.

Binds 2 magnesium ions for ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity. Substrate-binding is a precondition for magnesium binding By similarity.

Magnesium ions for integrase activity. Binds at least 1, maybe 2 magnesium ions By similarity.

Enzyme regulation

The viral protease is inhibited by many synthetic protease inhibitors (PIs), such as amprenavir, atazanavir, indinavir, loprinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir. RT can be inhibited either by nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs) or by non nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs). NRTIs act as chain terminators, whereas NNRTIs inhibit DNA polymerization by binding a small hydrophobic pocket near the RT active site and inducing an allosteric change in this region. Classical NRTIs are abacavir, adefovir (PMEA), didanosine (ddI), lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T), tenofovir (PMPA), zalcitabine (ddC), and zidovudine (AZT). Classical NNRTIs are atevirdine (BHAP U-87201E), delavirdine, efavirenz (DMP-266), emivirine (I-EBU), and nevirapine (BI-RG-587). The tritherapies used as a basic effective treatment of AIDS associate two NRTIs and one NNRTI. Use of protease inhibitors in tritherapy regimens permit more ambitious therapeutic strategies By similarity.

Subunit structure

Pre-integration complex interacts with human HMGA1. Matrix protein p17 is a trimer. Interacts with gp120 and human BAF. Capsid is a homodimer. Interacts with human PPIA/CYPA. The protease is a homodimer, whose active site consists of two apposed aspartic acid residues. The reverse transcriptase is a heterodimer of p66 RT and p51 RT (RT p66/p51). Heterodimerization of RT is essential for DNA polymerase activity. Despite the sequence identities, p66 RT and p51 RT have distinct folding. Integrase is a homodimer and possibly can form homotetramer. Integrase interacts with human SMARCB1/INI1 and human PSIP1/LEDGF isoform 1 By similarity.

Subcellular location

Matrix protein p17: VirionPotential. NucleusBy similarity. CytoplasmBy similarity. Note= Following virus entry, the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of the matrix protein participates with Vpr to the nuclear localization of the viral genome. During virus production, the nuclear export activity of the matrix protein counteracts the NLS to maintain the Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins in the cytoplasm, thereby directing unspliced RNA to the plasma membrane By similarity.

Capsid protein p24: VirionPotential.

Nucleocapsid protein p7: VirionPotential.

Domain

The reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT) is structured in five subdomains: finger, palm, thumb, connection and RNase H. Within the palm subdomain, the 'primer grip' region is thought to be involved in the positioning of the primer terminus for accomodating the incoming nucleotide. The RNase H domain stabilizes the association of RT with primer-template By similarity.

The tryptophan repeat motif is involved in RT p66/p51 dimerization By similarity.

Integrase core domain contains the D-x(n)-D-x(35)-E motif, named for the phylogenetically conserved glutamic acid and aspartic acid residues and the invariant 35 amino acid spacing between the second and third acidic residues. Each acidic residue of the D,D(35)E motif is independently essential for the 3'-processing and strand transfer activities of purified integrase protein By similarity.

Post-translational modification

Specific enzymatic cleavages by the viral protease yield mature proteins. The protease is released by autocatalytic cleavage. The polyprotein is cleaved during and after budding, this process is termed maturation. Proteolytic cleavage of p66 RT removes the RNase H domain to yield the p51 RT subunit. Nucleocapsid protein p7 might be further cleaved after virus entry By similarity.

Capsid protein p24 is phosphorylated By similarity.

Matrix protein p17 is tyrosine phosphorylated presumably in the virion by a host kinase. This modification targets the matrix protein to the nucleus By similarity.

Miscellaneous

Capsid protein p24 is able to bind macaque TRIM5-alpha or owl monkey TRIMCyp, preventing reverse transcription of the viral genome and succesfull infection of macaque or owl monkey by HIV-1 By similarity.

The reverse transcriptase is an error-prone enzyme that lacks a proof-reading function. High mutations rate is a direct consequence of this characteristic. RT also displays frequent template switching leading to high recombination rate. Recombination mostly occurs between homologous regions of the two copackaged RNA genomes. If these two RNA molecules derive from different viral strains, reverse transcription will give rise to highly recombinated proviral DNAs.

HIV-1 lineages are divided in three main groups, M (for Major), O (for Outlier), and N (for New, or Non-M, Non-O). The vast majority of strains found worldwide belong to the group M. Group O seems to be endemic to and largely confined to Cameroon and neighboring countries in West Central Africa, where these viruses represent a small minority of HIV-1 strains. The group N is represented by a limited number of isolates from Cameroonian persons. The group M is further subdivided in 9 clades or subtypes (A to D, F to H, J and K).

Resistance to inhibitors associated with mutations are observed both in viral protease and in reverse transcriptase. Most of the time, single mutations confer only a modest reduction in drug susceptibility. Combination of several mutations is usually required to develop a high-level drug resistance. These mutations are predominantly found in clade B viruses and not in other genotypes. They are listed in the clade B representative isolate HXB2 (AC P04585).

Sequence similarities

Contains 2 CCHC-type zinc fingers.

Contains 1 integrase catalytic domain.

Contains 1 integrase-type DNA-binding domain.

Contains 1 integrase-type zinc finger.

Contains 1 peptidase A2 domain.

Contains 1 reverse transcriptase domain.

Contains 1 RNase H domain.

Alternative products

This entry describes 2 isoforms produced by ribosomal frameshifting. [Align] [Select]

Notes: Translation results in the formation of the Gag polyprotein most of the time. Ribosomal frameshifting at the gag-pol genes boundary occurs at low frequency and produces the Gag-Pol polyprotein. This strategy of translation probably allows the virus to modulate the quantity of each viral protein. Maintenance of a correct Gag to Gag-Pol ratio is essential for RNA dimerization and viral infectivity.
Isoform Gag-Pol polyprotein (identifier: P04587-1)

This isoform has been chosen as the 'canonical' sequence. All positional information in this entry refers to it. This is also the sequence that appears in the downloadable versions of the entry.
Notes: Produced by -1 ribosomal frameshifting.
Isoform Gag polyprotein (identifier: P04593-1)

The sequence of this isoform can be found in the external entry P04593-1.
Isoforms of the same protein are often annotated in two different entries if their sequences differ significantly.
Notes: Produced by conventional translation.

Sequence annotation (Features)

Feature keyPosition(s)LengthDescriptionGraphical view

Molecule processing

Initiator methionine11Removed; by host By similarity
Chain2 – 14471446Gag-Pol polyprotein
Chain2 – 132131Matrix protein p17 By similarity
Chain133 – 363231Capsid protein p24 By similarity
Peptide364 – 37714Spacer peptide p2 By similarity
Chain378 – 43255Nucleocapsid protein p7 By similarity
Peptide433 – 4408Transframe peptide Potential
Chain441 – 50060p6-pol Potential
Chain501 – 59999Protease By similarity
Chain600 – 1159560Reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H By similarity
Chain600 – 1039440p51 RT By similarity
Chain1040 – 1159120p15 By similarity
Chain1160 – 1447288Integrase By similarity

Regions

Domain520 – 58970Peptidase A2
Domain643 – 833191Reverse transcriptase
Domain1033 – 1156124RNase H
Domain1213 – 1363151Integrase catalytic
Zinc finger390 – 40718CCHC-type 1
Zinc finger411 – 42818CCHC-type 2
Zinc finger1162 – 120342Integrase-type
DNA binding1382 – 142948Integrase-type
Region826 – 8349RT 'primer grip' By similarity
Motif16 – 227Nuclear export signal By similarity
Motif26 – 327Nuclear localization signal By similarity
Motif997 – 101317Tryptophan repeat motif By similarity

Sites

Active site5251For protease activity; shared with dimeric partner By similarity
Metal binding7091Magnesium (catalytic); for reverse transcriptase activity By similarity
Metal binding7841Magnesium (catalytic); for reverse transcriptase activity By similarity
Metal binding7851Magnesium (catalytic); for reverse transcriptase activity By similarity
Metal binding10421Magnesium (catalytic); for RNase H activity By similarity
Metal binding10771Magnesium (catalytic); for RNase H activity By similarity
Metal binding10971Magnesium (catalytic); for RNase H activity By similarity
Metal binding11481Magnesium (catalytic); for RNase H activity By similarity
Metal binding12231Magnesium (catalytic); for integrase activity By similarity
Metal binding12751Magnesium (catalytic); for integrase activity By similarity
Site132 – 1332Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity
Site221 – 2222Cis/trans isomerization of proline peptide bond; by human PPIA/CYPA By similarity
Site363 – 3642Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity
Site377 – 3782Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity
Site432 – 4332Cleavage; by viral protease Potential
Site440 – 4412Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity
Site500 – 5012Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity
Site599 – 6002Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity
Site10001Essential for RT p66/p51 heterodimerization By similarity
Site10131Essential for RT p66/p51 heterodimerization By similarity
Site1039 – 10402Cleavage; by viral protease; partial By similarity
Site1159 – 11602Cleavage; by viral protease By similarity

Amino acid modifications

Modified residue1321Phosphotyrosine; by host By similarity
Lipidation21N-myristoyl glycine; by host By similarity

Secondary structure

............................ 1447
Helix Strand Turn

Details...

Sequences

Sequence LengthMass (Da)Tools
Isoform Gag-Pol polyprotein [UniParc].

Last modified January 23, 2007. Version 3.
Checksum: F4D0290A5010027B

FASTA1,447163,265