| Popis: |
Many RNA structures play a key role in the regulation of gene expression. We designed synthetic oligonucleotides able to interact with folded RNA regions (see Toulmé et al., Biochimie (1996) 78, 663-673, for a review). We have demonstrated that a decanucleotide can form a triple helix with the stem of the hairpin responsible for ribosomal frame-shifting of the gag-pro message of HTLV-I, leading to the inhibition of translation. We have isolated, through an in vitro selection procedure, from a library composed of oligonucleotides with a random part of 30 nucleotides, sequences able to bind to the TAR RNA element of HIV-1 with a dissociation constant of 20-50 nM. The association between the two partners involve non-canonical interactions. This extends the range of potential targets for antisense sequences to functional RNA structures. |
