The crystal structure of the dimerization initiation site of genomic HIV-1 RNA reveals an extended duplex with two adenine bulges.
Ennifar, E., Yusupov, M., Walter, P., Marquet, R., Ehresmann, B., Ehresmann, C., Dumas, P.(1999) Structure 7: 1439-1449
- PubMed: 10574792 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0969-2126(00)80033-7
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1Y99, 462D - PubMed Abstract: 
An important step in retroviral replication is dimerization of the genomic RNA prior to encapsidation. Dimerization is initiated by the formation of a transient 'kissing-loop complex' that is thought to be subsequently matured into an extended duplex by the nucleocapsid protein (NCp). Although chemical probing and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy have provided insight into the structure of the kissing-loop structure, no structural information concerning the extended-duplex state is available so far.
Organizational Affiliation: 
UPR9002 - Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Strasbourg cedex, F-67084, France.