Abstract 3017 How 5′-UTR RNA structure determines HIV-1 RNA fate and Gag conformation

The HIV-1 genome contains three highly conserved consecutive guanosines (Gs) that act as the primary transcription start sites. Initiation can occur at any of the three Gs producing HIV-1 unspliced RNA beginning with three (3G), two (2G), and one (1G) guanosine. While 3G RNA is the most abundant species in cells and is more efficiently translated, 1G RNA is selectively packaged into virions. We have previously shown that HIV-1 RNA fate is determined by the conformation of the HIV-1 5′ untranslated region (UTR).