Characterization of the frameshift stimulatory signal controlling a programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

ABSTRACT: Synthesis of the Gag-Pol protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires a programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting when ribosomes translate the unspliced viral messenger RNA. This frameshift occurs at a slippery sequence followed by an RNA structure motif that stimulates frameshifting. This motif is commonly assumed to be a simple stem-loop for HIV-1. In this study, we show that the frameshift stimulatory signal is more complex than believed and consists of a two-stem helix. The upper stem-loop corresponds to the classic stem-loop, and the lower stem is formed by pairing the spacer region following the slippery sequence and preceding this classic stem-loop with a segment downstream of this stem-loop. A three-purine bulge interrupts the two stems. This structure was sugges

SUBMITTER: Dulude D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC137970 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature