A point mutation in HIV-1 integrase redirects proviral integration into centromeric repeats

HIV-1 integration sites are biased towards actively transcribed genes, likely mediated by binding of the viral integrase (IN) protein to host factors. Here, Winans et al. show that the K258R point mutation in IN eredirects viral DNA integration to the centromeres of host chromosomes, which may affect HIV latency. Retroviruses utilize the viral integrase (IN) protein to integrate a DNA copy of their genome into host chromosomal DNA. HIV-1 integration sites are highly biased towards actively transcribed genes, likely mediated by binding of the IN protein to specific host factors, particularly LEDGF, located at these gene regions. We here report a substantial redirection of integration site distribution induced by a single point mutation in HIV-1 IN. Viruses carrying the K258R IN mutation exhibit a high frequency of integrations into centromeric alpha satellite repeat sequences, as assessed by deep sequencing, a more than 10-fold increase over wild-type. Quantitative PCR and in situ immunofluorescence assays confirm this bias of the K258R mutant virus for integration into centromeric DNA. Immunoprecipitation studies identify host factors binding to IN that may account for the observed bias for integration into centromeres. Centromeric integration events are known to be enriched in the latent reservoir of infected memory T cells, as well as in elite controllers who limit viral replication without intervention. The K258R point mutation in HIV-1 IN is also present in databases of latent proviruses found in patients, and may reflect an unappreciated aspect of the establishment of viral latency.

Automated summary

HIV-1 integration sites are biased towards actively transcribed genes, but a mutation can redirect viral DNA integration to the centromeres of host chromosomes, potentially affecting HIV latency.