On the role of four small hairpins in the HIV-1 RNA genome.

ABSTRACT: An RNA secondary structure model for the complete HIV-1 genome has recently been published based on SHAPE technology. Several well-known RNA motifs such as TAR and RRE were confirmed and numerous new structured motifs were described that may play important roles in virus replication. The 9 kb viral RNA genome is densely packed with many RNA hairpin motifs and the collective fold may play an important role in HIV-1 biology. We initially focused on 16 RNA hairpin motifs scattered along the viral genome. We considered conservation of these structures, despite sequence variation among virus isolates, as a first indication for a significant function. Four relatively small hairpins exhibited considerable structural conservation and were selected for experimental validation in virus replication a

SUBMITTER: Knoepfel SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3710360 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature