γ-AApeptides bind to RNA by mimicking RNA-binding proteins

Youhong Niu, Alisha Jonesy Jones, Haifan Wu, Gabriele Varani, Jianfeng Cai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The interactions between proteins and RNAs are of vital importance for many cellular processes, including transcription and processing of RNA, translation, and viral infections. Here we report an γ-AApeptide that can mimic HIV-1 Tat protein and bind to TAR RNAs of HIV and BIV with nanomolar affinity, comparable to that of the RNA-binding fragment of Tat (amino acids 49-58). The interaction is resistant to the presence of a large excess of tRNA. With resistance to proteolytic hydrolysis and limitless potential for diversification, γ-AApeptides may emerge as a new class of peptidomimetics to modulate RNA-protein interactions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6604-6609
Number of pages6
JournalOrganic and Biomolecular Chemistry
Volume9
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 7 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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