Three-dimensional RNA structure of the major HIV-1 packaging signal region.

ABSTRACT: HIV-1 genomic RNA has a noncoding 5' region containing sequential conserved structural motifs that control many parts of the life cycle. Very limited data exist on their three-dimensional (3D) conformation and, hence, how they work structurally. To assemble a working model, we experimentally reassessed secondary structure elements of a 240-nt region and used single-molecule distances, derived from fluorescence resonance energy transfer, between defined locations in these elements as restraints to drive folding of the secondary structure into a 3D model with an estimated resolution below 10 Å. The folded 3D model satisfying the data is consensual with short nuclear-magnetic-resonance-solved regions and reveals previously unpredicted motifs, offering insight into earlier functional assays. I

SUBMITTER: Stephenson JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3690526 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature