DNA aptamers as potential anti-HIV agents

Shan Ho Chou, Ko Hsin Chin, Andrew H.J. Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Guanine (G)-rich DNA sequences can adopt stable G-quadruplex structures by G-tetrad hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic stacking. Recently, it has been shown that a DNA sequence forms an aptamer (termed 93del) and adopts a novel dimeric quadruplex folding topology in K+ solution. This aptamer exhibits anti-HIV1 integrase activity in the nanomolar range in vitro. A docking-based model of the 93del-integrase complex positions the DNA aptamer within a channel of the tetrameric integrase. This mutual fitting blocks several catalytic amino acid residues that are essential for integrase function, and accounts for the anti-HIV1 activity of the 93del aptamer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-234
Number of pages4
JournalTrends in Biochemical Sciences
Volume30
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

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