Putative HIV and SIV G-Quadruplex Sequences in Coding and Noncoding Regions Can Form G-Quadruplexes

Abstract EN

The HIV virus is one of the most studied viruses in the world.

This is especially true in terms of gene sequencing, and to date more than 9 thousand genomic sequences of HIV isolates have been sequenced and analyzed.

In this study, a series of DNA sequences, which have the potential to form G-quadruplex structures, is analyzed.

Several such sequences were found in various coding and noncoding virus domains, including the U3 LTR, tat, rev, env, and vpx regions.

Interestingly, a homological sequence to the already well-known HIV integrase aptamer was identified in the minus-strand.

The sequences derived from original isolates were analyzed using standard spectral and electrophoretic methods.

In addition, a recently developed methodology is applied which uses induced circular dichroism spectral profiles of G-quadruplex-ligand (Thiazole Orange) complexes to determine if G-rich sequences can adopt G-quadruplex structure.

Targeting the G-quadruplexes or peptide domains corresponding to the G-rich coding sequence in HIV offers researchers attractive therapeutic targets which would be of particular use in the development of novel antiviral therapies.

The analysis of G-rich regions can provide researchers with a path to find specific targets which could be of interest for specific types of virus.