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An additional dimer linkage structure in Moloney murine leukemia virus RNA
E M Oroudjev1, P C Kang, L A Kohlstaedt
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|August 17, 1999
Summary
Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) RNA can form dimers at multiple sites. A newly found dimer linkage structure in the 5' untranslated region suggests separate folding domains within the viral RNA.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Structure
Background:
- Retroviral genomes are known to dimerize at their 5' ends.
- A specific hairpin loop (DLS) at nucleotides 278-303 in Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) was previously identified as a dimer linkage structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize additional dimer linkage structures in the MoMLV genome.
- To investigate the properties of RNA dimers formed outside the previously known DLS.
Main Methods:
- RNA secondary structure analysis
- Mapping of novel dimer linkage sites
- Chemical and thermal stability assays
- Kinetics and salt-dependence studies of dimer formation
Main Results:
- An additional dimer linkage structure was identified in the MoMLV 5' untranslated region (nucleotides 199-243).
- This novel region contains a stem-loop structure (nucleotides 204-227) capable of forming dimers with characteristics similar to whole genome dimers.
- Dimerization can be initiated at multiple sites within the MoMLV RNA.
Conclusions:
- MoMLV RNA dimerization is not restricted to a single site.
- The 5' untranslated region of MoMLV may possess multiple independently folding and dimerizing domains.
- This finding expands the understanding of retroviral RNA genome organization and dimerization mechanisms.