Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Novel RNA-Binding Proteins Isolation by the RaPID Methodology
Published on: September 30, 2016
Interaction of 68-kDa TAR RNA-binding protein and other cellular proteins with prion protein-RNA stem-loop
U Scheffer1, T Okamoto, J M Forrest
1Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Universität, Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
The RNA stem-loop structure of the trans-activating region TAR sequence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 mRNA is the binding site for a number of host cell proteins. A virtually identical set of proteins from HeLa nuclear extracts was found to bind to the predicted RNA hairpin element of prion protein (PrP) mRNA, as demonstrated in UV cross-linking/RNase protection and Northwestern assays. We show that the cellular TAR loop-binding protein, p68, is among those proteins which associate with PrP RNA. Competition experiments with various TAR RNA mutants revealed that binding of partially purified p68 to PrP RNA stem-loop occurs sequence-specifically. The 100-kDa 2-5A synthetase which is involved in the cellular antiviral defense was able to bind to PrP mRNA stem-loop in Northwestern blots with cytosolic proteins from HeLa cells treated with interferon. However, the PrP RNA failed to activate this enzyme in vitro, in contrast to TAR RNA.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Leaky Scanning
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
RNA Structure
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
Subviral Agents

