Distinct Gag interaction properties of HIV-1 RNA 5′ leader conformers reveal a mechanism for dimeric genome selection

The 5′L conformers showed distinct Gag interaction kinetics. (A) 5′L_P and 5′L_T were immobilized on biosensors using a biotin-labeled 19-nt oligonucleotide handle. A 5′ sequence complementary to the DNA handle was added to the 5′ ends of the two RNA molecules. Varying amounts of Gag were incubated with 5′L_P (B) and 5′L_T (C) on biosensors, and the association and dissociation processes were monitored continuously by biolayer interferometry. (D) The responses at the end of association (i.e., 175–180 sec) were plotted versus Gag concentrations. Data are means of at least three independent experiments. Error bars represent standard deviations. (*) Student's t-test, P < 0.05.