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. 1989 Aug;63(8):3213–3219. doi: 10.1128/jvi.63.8.3213-3219.1989

Functional characterization of a complex protein-DNA-binding domain located within the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat leader region.

M H Malim 1, R Fenrick 1, D W Ballard 1, J Hauber 1, E Böhnlein 1, B R Cullen 1
PMCID: PMC250890  PMID: 2545899

Abstract

Transcriptional trans activation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) by the viral tat trans activator is mediated by an LTR-specific sequence located immediately 3' to the start of transcription initiation. We have used a range of molecular techniques to examine DNA-protein interactions that occur in the vicinity of this cis-acting sequence. Our results demonstrate the existence of a sequence-specific DNA-protein interaction involving the HIV-1 leader DNA and map this binding event to between -2 and +21 base pairs relative to the HIV-1 LTR transcription start site. Evidence suggesting that this interaction involves three distinct protein-DNA contact sites extending along one side of the DNA helix is presented. Mutation of these sites was found to ablate protein-DNA binding yet was observed to have no effect on either the basal or tat trans-activated level of HIV-1 LTR-specific gene expression. We therefore conclude that this DNA-protein interaction has a function distinct from the regulation of HIV-1 LTR-specific gene expression.

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