The mechanism of action of various viruses has been the primary focus of many studies. Yet, the data on RNA modifications in any type of virus are scarce. Methods for the sensitive analysis of RNA modifications have been developed only recently and they have not been applied to viruses. In particular, the RNA composition of HIV-1 virions has never been determined with sufficiently exact methods. Here, we reveal that the RNA of HIV-1 virions contains surprisingly high amount of the 1-methyladenosine. We are the first to use a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC/MS) of virion RNA, which we combined with m1A profiling and deep sequencing. We found that m1A was present in the tRNA, but not in the genomic HIV-1 RNA and the abundant 7SL RNA. We were able to calculate that an HIV-1 virion contains per 2 copies of genomic RNA and 14 copies of 7SL RNA also 770 copies of tRNA, which is approximately 10 times more than thus far expected. These new insights into the composition of the HIV-1 virion can help in future studies to identify the role of nonprimer tRNAs in retroviruses. Moreover, we present a promising new tool for studying the compositions of virions.

• MeSH
• Adenosine analogs & derivatives   metabolism   MeSH
• Chromatography, Liquid methods   MeSH
• Genome, Viral genetics   MeSH
• HIV-1 genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Mass Spectrometry methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• RNA, Small Cytoplasmic genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Transfer genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA, Viral genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Base Sequence MeSH
• Virus Assembly genetics   MeSH
• Signal Recognition Particle genetics   MeSH
• Virion genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

• MeSH
• Killer Cells, Natural cytology   physiology   MeSH
• Genetic Engineering trends   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cell Adhesion Molecules physiology   chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, Cell Surface physiology   chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, Leukocyte-Adhesion metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Recognition Particle genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH