area under investigation. This gap repair process completes the integration of the HIV DNA into the host DNA, with the fully integrated HIV DNA now being referred to as "proviral DNA". Role of splicing in HIV-1 Recent study suggested that HIV-1 prefers integration into highly spliced genes or genes with more introns. This preference depends on the host chromatin binding protein LEDGF/p75 that interacts with many splicing factors. Another study showed that HIV-1 preference for highly spliced genes depends on another host factor CPSF6, a poly adenylation factor. Cancer genes with high number of introns are highly targeted by HIV-1. References Further reading External links HIV/AIDS