Stage Master

The structural proteins Pr55Gag precursor of the Human Immunideficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) promotes the specific selection of genomic RNA (gRNA) among the pool of spliced viral and cellular RNAs, and ensures its transport to the plasma membrane where the viral particle assembly occurs. At this stage, the Pr55Gag-Pr55Gag interactions promote the formation of the viral capsid, and mutations avoiding mutlimerization strongly impact on gRNA encapsidation and viral infectivity as well. Our team previously analyzed the interactions between the native form of Pr55Gag precursor and a wide panel of viral RNA fragments. At present, we dispose of a mutant of Pr55Gag (Gag WM) carrying a double mutations in the capsid domain, thus conferring to this protein a monomeric character. In this frame, the candidate will characterize the fixation of this mutant protein to various viral RNA fragments. This analysis will provide important information about the impact of Pr55Gag multimerization on its interaction with viral RNA. In addition, through our collaboration with Emmanuel Boutant (UMR 7213 CNRS, Faculty of Pharmacy) the candidate will also be involved into cellular experiences by bio-imagery techniques using fluorescently labelled proteins and RNA. This part of the project would provide a better understanding of the role of Pr55Gag multimerization on the diffusion of gRNA in the cytoplasm and its transport to the plasma membrane, thus leading to the assembly of the viral particle.