1F5U

A retroviral RNA kissing complex containing only two G.C base pairs.

(2000) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97: 9396-9401

• PubMed: 10931958 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.170283697
• Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
  1F5U


• PubMed Abstract: 
  

  The dimerization of viral RNA through noncovalent interactions at their 5' ends is a key step in the life cycle of retroviruses. In Moloney murine leukemia virus, three stem-loops are important in this process. One is a self-complementary tetraloop (H1), but the other two stem-loops (H2, H3) contain highly conserved GACG tetraloops that are not self-complementary sequences. Using two-dimensional NMR, we determined the structure of the H3 stem-loop. Surprisingly, it forms a stable, homodimeric kissing complex through only two intermolecular G small middle dotC base pairs. Cross-strand interactions of the adenines adjacent to the intermolecular G small middle dotC base pairs, plus unusual strong electrostatic interactions around the base pairs, contribute to the unexpected stability. This structure shows how even stem-loops without self-complementary sequences can facilitate the intermolecular recognition between two identical RNAs, and thus initiate dimerization and encapsidation of retroviral RNAs.

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Organizational Affiliation: 

Department of Chemistry, University of California, and Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley 94720-1460, USA.