PRODUCTION OF NONINFECTIOUS HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES WHICH PACKAGE SPECIFICALLY VIRAL-RNA

A recombinant vector that rapidly produces large amounts of human immu nodeficiency virus (HIV) virus-like particles (VLPs) was constructed. This vector lacks LTR sequences and a functional nef gene. The VLPs pr oduced are non-infectious but similar in structure to mature, infectio us HIV virions. They package specifically HIV RNAs containing appropri ate signals and do not package abundant cellular mRNAs (e.g. actin). I n the system described here, efficient particle production and release is decoupled from infection. Use of this VLP system offers many advan tages over the study of infectious virions, permitting the expression of mutant phenotypes which interfere with virus infectivity.