SNAP output for PDB entry 4e7h [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

4e7h; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

recombination-DNA

Method

X-ray (2.57 Å)

Summary

Pfv intasome prior to 3'-processing, apo form (ui-apo)

Reference

Hare S, Maertens GN, Cherepanov P (2012): "3'-Processing and strand transfer catalysed by retroviral integrase in crystallo." Embo J., 31, 3020-3028. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.118.

Abstract

Retroviral integrase (IN) is responsible for two consecutive reactions, which lead to insertion of a viral DNA copy into a host cell chromosome. Initially, the enzyme removes di- or trinucleotides from viral DNA ends to expose 3'-hydroxyls attached to the invariant CA dinucleotides (3'-processing reaction). Second, it inserts the processed 3'-viral DNA ends into host chromosomal DNA (strand transfer). Herein, we report a crystal structure of prototype foamy virus IN bound to viral DNA prior to 3'-processing. Furthermore, taking advantage of its dependence on divalent metal ion cofactors, we were able to freeze trap the viral enzyme in its ground states containing all the components necessary for 3'-processing or strand transfer. Our results shed light on the mechanics of retroviral DNA integration and explain why HIV IN strand transfer inhibitors are ineffective against the 3'-processing step of integration. The ground state structures moreover highlight a striking substrate mimicry utilized by the inhibitors in their binding to the IN active site and suggest ways to improve upon this clinically relevant class of small molecules.