title: Oligomerization and RNA binding domains of the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus Rev protein: a dual function for an arginine-rich binding motif.
abstract: The Rev protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is a sequence-specific RNA binding protein that is essential for viral replication. Here we present evidence that Rev is a stable oligomer both in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of Rev mutants indicates that oligomerization is essential for RNA binding and hence Rev function. The oligomerization and RNA binding domains overlap over 47 amino acids. Within this region is a short arginine-rich motif found in a large class of RNA binding proteins. Substitution of multiple residues within the arginine-rich motif abolishes oligomerization, whereas several single-amino-acid substitution mutants oligomerize but do not bind RNA. Thus, Rev's arginine-rich motif participates in two distinct functions: oligomerization and RNA binding.
authors.affiliation: Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01605.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zapp
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Parslow
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015694:Gene Products, rev / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D015757:Genes, rev; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D054321:rev Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D015694:Gene Products, rev; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D054321:rev Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D012313:RNA; D001120:Arginine