Solution studies of the dimerization initiation site of HIV-1 genomic RNA.
Dimerization of HIV-1 genomic RNA is an essential step of the viral cycle, initiated at a conserved stem-loop structure which forms a 'kissing complex' involving loop-loop interactions (dimerization initiation site, DIS). A 19mer RNA oligonucleotide (DIS-19) has been synthesized which forms a stable symmetrical dimer in solution at millimolar concentrations. Dimerization does not depend on addition of Mg2+. RNA ligation experiments unambiguously indicate that the formed dimer is a stable kissing complex under the NMR experimental conditions.1H NMR resonance assignments were obtained for DIS-19 at 290 K and pH 6.5. Analysis of the pattern of NOE connectivities reveals that the helix formed by loop-loop base pairing is stacked onto the two terminal stems. Non-canonical base pairs between two essential and conserved adenines are found at the junctions between the two intramolecular and the single intramolecular helices.
Laboratoire de Biochimie, UMR 7654 du CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France. fred@botrytis.polytechnique.fr
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Dardel
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Marquet
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Ehresmann
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Ehresmann
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Blanquet
D001665:Binding Sites; D019281:Dimerization; D016679:Genome, Viral; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions
D012367:RNA, Viral; D012996:Solutions