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- Title
Specific binding of a hexanucleotide to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase: a novel class of bioactive molecules.
- Authors
Mescalchin, Alessandra; Wünsche, Winfried; Laufer, Sandra D; Grohmann, Dina; Restle, Tobias; Sczakiel, Georg
- Abstract
Short oligonucleotides below 8-10 nt in length adopt relatively simple structures. Accordingly, they represent interesting and so far unexplored lead compounds as molecular tools and, potentially, for drug development as a rational improvement of efficacy seem to be less complex than for other classes of longer oligomeric nucleic acid. As a 'proof of concept', we describe the highly specific binding of the hexanucleotide UCGUGU (Hex-S3) to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) as a model target. Ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking studies and competition experiments with primer/template substrates and a RT-directed aptamer suggest site-specific binding of Hex-S3 to the large subunit (p66) of the viral enzyme. The affinity of 5.3 muM is related to hexanucleotide-specific suppression of HIV-1 replication in human cells by up to three orders of magnitude indicating that Hex-S3 exerts specific and biologically relevant activity. Experimental evidence described here further suggests a systematic hexamer array-based search for new tools for molecular biology and novel lead compounds in nucleic acid-based drug development.
- Publication
Nucleic acids research, 2006, Vol 34, Issue 19, p5631
- ISSN
1362-4962
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1093/nar/gkl533