This ACS Chemical Biology paper out of U-Wisconsin Madison discusses a small molecule that binds to HIV RNA and inhibits viral replication by blocking the -1 framshift site required for HIV replication. The small molecule was discovered through high-throughput screening. They look at the small molecule binding through thermodynamics and NMR, and use that information to form structural relationships of the RNA:small molecule complex. I found it to be a very interesting method using NMR to determine specific binding characteristics of a small molecule inhibitor of RNA function. The information can assist in designing RNA binding small molecules, and the development of new compounds for HIV treatment.
Take a look at the structure of the small molecule. I don't think this will be specific to HIV RNA. Would be interesting to couple the original screen with a counter screen to filter out non-specific RNA binder.
ReplyDeleteThe general structure of this chemical looks like spermine, but with an aromatic ring in the middle. Spermine is made by plants and is involved in the defense response against viruses. (Spermine is also a signaling molecule for regular development.)It would be interesting if plants have evolved a virus-specific RNA-binding chemical already...You know I will relate everything to plants, right?
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