NMR structure of a kissing complex formed between the TAR RNA element of HIV-1 and a LNA-modified aptamer.

ABSTRACT: The trans-activating responsive (TAR) RNA element located in the 5' untranslated region of the HIV-1 genome is a 57-nt imperfect stem-loop essential for the viral replication. TAR regulates transcription by interacting with both viral and cellular proteins. RNA hairpin aptamers specific for TAR were previously identified by in vitro selection [Ducongé,F. and Toulmé,J.J. (1999) In vitro selection identifies key determinants for loop-loop interactions: RNA aptamers selective for the TAR RNA element of HIV-1. RNA, 5, 1605-1614]. These aptamers display a 5'-GUCCCAGA-3' consensus apical loop, partially complementary to the TAR one, leading to the formation of a TAR-aptamer kissing complex. The conserved GA combination (underlined in the consensus sequence) has been shown to be crucial for the f

SUBMITTER: Lebars I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2094059 | biostudies-literature | 2007

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature