Structure of an RNA switch that enforces stringent retroviral genomic RNA dimerization.

ABSTRACT: Retroviruses selectively package two copies of their RNA genomes in the context of a large excess of nongenomic RNA. Specific packaging of genomic RNA is achieved, in part, by recognizing RNAs that form a poorly understood dimeric structure at their 5' ends. We identify, quantify the stability of, and use extensive experimental constraints to calculate a 3D model for a tertiary structure domain that mediates specific interactions between RNA genomes in a gamma retrovirus. In an initial interaction, two stem-loop structures from one RNA form highly stringent cross-strand loop-loop base pairs with the same structures on a second genomic RNA. Upon subsequent folding to the final dimer state, these intergenomic RNA interactions convert to a high affinity and compact tertiary structure, stabili

SUBMITTER: Badorrek CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1564256 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature