The 5′ UTR of HIV-1 full-length mRNA and the Tat viral protein modulate the programmed −1 ribosomal frameshift that generates HIV-1 enzymes

HIV-1 frameshifting relative to the type of 5′ UTR of the dual-luciferase reporter mRNA in HEK 293T cells. (A) The Fluc/Rluc ratio represents the relative frameshift efficiency, which was arbitrarily set at 100% for p5′UTR-HIV. Each value represents the mean ± SEM of at least three independent triplicate experiments. (B) The Rluc activities were divided by the level of mRNA quantified by qPCR. The Rluc/mRNA ratio is shown relative to p5′UTR-HIV, which was arbitrarily set at 1. Rluc/mRNA ratios were measured in triplicate, and one representative experiment is shown.