The Gag precursor protein recognizes the HIV-1 genomic RNA among hundreds of other viral and cellular RNAs during assembly of viral particles. Here, the authors identify the primary binding site of Gag on the HIV-1 RNA, and show that other RNA regions enhance or inhibit Gag binding.
- Ekram W. Abd El-Wahab
- Redmond P. Smyth
- Roland Marquet