title: γ-AApeptides bind to RNA by mimicking RNA-binding proteins.
abstract: The interactions between proteins and RNAs are of vital importance for many cellular processes, including transcription and processing of RNA, translation, and viral infections. Here we report an γ-AApeptide that can mimic HIV-1 Tat protein and bind to TAR RNAs of HIV and BIV with nanomolar affinity, comparable to that of the RNA-binding fragment of Tat (amino acids 49-58). The interaction is resistant to the presence of a large excess of tRNA. With resistance to proteolytic hydrolysis and limitless potential for diversification, γ-AApeptides may emerge as a new class of peptidomimetics to modulate RNA-protein interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
authors.forename: Youhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Alisha Jonesy
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Haifan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varani
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000737:chemistry*; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D015696:Gene Products, tat; D010455:Peptides; D012367:RNA, Viral