GSBS Student Publications

Title

Sequence-specific interaction between HIV-1 matrix protein and viral genomic RNA revealed by in vitro genetic selection

UMMS Affiliation

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Program in Molecular Medicine; Program in Gene Function and Expression

Date

5-10-2001

Document Type

Article

Medical Subject Headings

Base Sequence; Binding Sites; Consensus Sequence; Directed Molecular Evolution; Gene Products, gag; Gene Products, pol; HIV Antigens; HIV-1; Molecular Sequence Data; Protein Binding; Protein Precursors; RNA, Viral; RNA-Binding Proteins; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; T-Lymphocytes; *Viral Proteins; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Disciplines

Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 matrix protein (HIV-1 MA) is a multifunctional structural protein synthesized as part of the Pr55 gag polyprotein. We have used in vitro genetic selection to identify an RNA consensus sequence that specifically interacts with MA (Kd = 5 x 10(-7) M). This 13-nt MA binding consensus sequence bears a high degree of homology (77%) to a region (nt 1433-1446) within the POL open reading frame of the HIV-1 genome (consensus sequence from 38 HIV-1 strains). Chemical interference experiments identified the nucleotides within the MA binding consensus sequence involved in direct contact with MA. We further demonstrate that this RNA-protein interaction is mediated through a stretch of basic amino acids within MA. Mutations that disrupt the interaction between MA and its RNA binding site within the HIV-1 genome resulted in a measurable decrease in viral replication.

Rights and Permissions

Citation: RNA. 2001 Apr;7(4):576-84.

Related Resources

Link to article in PubMed

Journal Title

RNA (New York, N.Y.)

PubMed ID

11345436

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