DNA aptamers as potential anti-HIV agents

Trends Biochem Sci. 2005 May;30(5):231-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2005.03.004.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / metabolism
  • Base Sequence*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors
  • Oligonucleotides
  • DNA