Global Changes in the RNA Binding Specificity of HIV-1 Gag Regulate Virion Genesis

• Cytoplasmic HIV-1 Gag binds GU-rich RNA and discrete elements within Ψ and RRE
• Assembly induces a transient change in Gag-RNA binding specificity to A-rich motifs
• The matrix domain of Gag binds to specific tRNAs, not viral RNA
• Matrix-tRNA binding regulates Gag binding to cell membranes

SummaryThe HIV-1 Gag protein orchestrates all steps of virion genesis, including membrane targeting and RNA recruitment into virions. Using crosslinking-immunoprecipitation (CLIP) sequencing, we uncover several dramatic changes in the RNA-binding properties of Gag that occur during virion genesis, coincident with membrane binding, multimerization, and proteolytic maturation. Prior to assembly, and after virion assembly and maturation, the nucleocapsid domain of Gag preferentially binds to psi and Rev Response elements in the viral genome, and GU-rich mRNA sequences. However, during virion genesis, this specificity transiently changes in a manner that facilitates genome packaging; nucleocapsid binds to many sites on the HIV-1 genome and to mRNA sequences with a HIV-1-like, A-rich nucleotide composition. Additionally, we find that the matrix domain of Gag binds almost exclusively to specific tRNAs in the cytosol, and this association regulates Gag binding to cellular membranes.

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