Association of integrase, matrix, and reverse transcriptase antigens of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with viral nucleic acids following acute infection.

We have examined components of the preintegration complex of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and have analyzed features which govern the association of these components. HIV-1 nucleoprotein complexes, isolated from nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts of CD4+ cells after acute virus infection, contained viral RNA and DNA in association with viral matrix (MA), integrase (IN), and reverse transcriptase (RT) antigens but not capsid (CA) antigens and possessed integration activity in vitro. Association of IN but not RT or MA antigens with viral DNA was detergent-stable. Analysis of viral DNA synthesis and nuclear import of viral nucleoprotein complexes in the presence of a reversible RT inhibitor demonstrated that reverse transcription of viral RNA could be completed entirely in the host cell nucleus. Our studies demonstrate structural and functional features of the nucleoprotein (preintegration) complex of HIV-1 which are pertinent to the understanding of early events in the lentiviral life cycle.