RNA AND N3′ → P5′ KISSING APTAMERS TARGETED TO THE TRANS-ACTIVATION RESPONSIVE (TAR) RNA OF THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-1

Abstract

We used in vitro selection to identify RNA aptamers able to selectively bind to the TAR RNA motif of HIV-1, an unperfect RNA hairpin involved in the transcription of the retroviral genome. We selected aptameric RNA hairpins giving rise to kissing complexes with TAR. The N3′ → P5′ phosphoramidate variant of the aptamer bind to TAR with a Kd in the low nanomolar range. However, only the RNA-RNA loop-loop complex is recognized by the Rop protein of E. coli which is specific for kissing complexes.