We conclude that the retrovirus packaging signal extends into the gag region.
D'Souza, V. et al. Identification of a high affinity nucleocapsid protein binding element within the Moloney murine leukemia virus Psi-RNA packaging signal: implications for genome recognition.
We have found that retroviral vectors containing the complete packaging signal allow more efficient gene transfer into a variety of cell types.
Unexpectedly, a preferential use of the packaging signal for recombination was observed, as compared to the IRES.
The HSV amplicon vector incorporates features of HSV-1, including a 150 kb transgene capacity, a viral origin of DNA replication and packaging signal, and virion proteins.
Retroviral NC domains direct the packaging of viral genomic RNA by binding to a packaging signal, often referred to as the ψ-element, that is located near the 5′ end of the genomic RNA in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR).
The Ψ-RNA packaging signal of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) genome contains a 35 nucleotide stem-loop, termed SL1, which is important for efficient genome packaging during virus assembly and for reverse transcription during infectivity.
The distinctive binding mode of NC to SL2 and SL3 stem loops of the HIV-1 genomic RNA packaging signal is studied on the basis of protein side-chain contributions to the electrostatic binding energies.
In many DNA viruses, genome packaging is initiated by the small subunit of the packaging terminase, which specifically binds to the packaging signal on viral DNA and directs assembly of the terminase holoenzyme.
Our findings identify a 159-residue RNA packaging signal that possesses dimerization and NC binding properties similar to those of the intact 5′-L and contains elements required for efficient RNA packaging.
In his paper, he describes how he took the packaging signal from segment eight, and put it on segment four.
