Reverse transcription of retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons

Citation
M. Wilhelm et Fx. Wilhelm, Reverse transcription of retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons, CELL MOL L, 58(9), 2001, pp. 1246-1262
Citations number
100
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Review
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
ISSN journal
1420-682X → ACNP
Volume
58
Issue
9
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1246 - 1262
Database
ISI
SICI code
1420-682X(200108)58:9<1246:RTORAL>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
Retroelements are mobile genetic entities that replicate via reverse transc ription of a template RNA. A key component to the life cycle of these eleme nts is the enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT), which copies the single-stran ded genomic RNA of the element into a linear double-stranded DNA that is ul timately integrated into the host genome by the element-encoded integrase. RT is a multifunctional enzyme which possesses RNA-dependent and DNA-depend ent DNA polymerase activities as well as RNase H activity that specifically degrades the RNA strand of RNA-DNA duplexes. At some stages of the replica tion a strand-displacement activity of RT is also necessary. All activities are essential for the conversion of single-stranded genomic RNA into the d ouble-stranded preintegrative DNA. This review focuses on the role of RT in the different steps of the replication process of retroelements. The featu res of retrotransposon replication which differ from the retroviral ones wi ll be emphasized. In a second part of the review, the biochemical and enzym atic properties of two newly characterized retrotransposon RTs will be desc ribed. The role of the integrase domain in reverse transcriptase activity o f some retroviral and retrotransposon RTs will be discussed.