Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Conformational Structure of HIV RNA

Abstract

HIV-1 genomic RNA has a non-coding 5' region containing sequential conserved structural motifs that controls many parts of the lifecycle. Very limited data exist on their 3-dimensional conformation and then how they work structurally. Recently the novel 3-D structural information of this most highly conserved region of the virus was reported on a promising therapeutic target1. In order to learn more on the structure of this RNA, we use single molecule fluorescence, anisotropy imaging microscopy and RNAstructure modelling2.3 together to monitor its conformational dynamics in physiological condition. We aim to understand with implications for RNA dimerization and protein binding during regulatory steps.