title: Selection and stabilization of the RNA aptamers against the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 nucleocapsid protein.
abstract: The nucleocapsid (NC) protein of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) plays an important role in the encapsidation of viral RNA and assembly of viral particle. Since the NC protein is resistant for mutation, it might be an excellent target for the anti-viral therapy. RNA aptamers that bind to the mature form of the NC protein were isolated from a RNA library. Surface plasmon resonance measurement and gel shift assay showed that the RNA aptamers specifically bind to the NC protein with high affinity and compete for the psi RNA binding to the NC protein. Mapping of the RNA aptamer showed at least two sites for the protein binding, suggesting a multiple and cooperative binding by the NC to RNA. In addition, the circular form of RNA avidly binds to the NC protein as a linear counter does. Stabilized RNA aptamer is expected to act as an inhibitor for the viral packaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Seoul 140-714, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mee Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji Chang
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Sunjoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D015723:Gene Library; D015497:HIV-1; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D020871:RNA Stability; D000079962:RNA, Circular; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; D000079962:RNA, Circular; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012313:RNA