Structural analysis of ribonucleopeptide aptamer against ATP.

A ribonucleopeptide aptamer against ATP was obtained by the in vitro selection method. This ribonucleopeptide aptamer comprises a randomized and selected RNA linked to the Rev-responsive element (RRE) in complex with a peptide derived from an HIV Rev protein. The ribonucleopeptide aptamer selectively binds ATP in the presence of the Rev-derived peptide, exclusively. Here, we present the structural analysis of the ribonucleopeptide aptamer with NMR. The secondary structure of the RNA part of the aptamer, the selected RNA region linked to RRE, in the presence of the Rev-derived peptide was determined in an Ado-bound form. G:A and G:G base pairs, together with canonical base pairs, are formed in a duplex of RRE. The selected RNA region plays a crucial role in target binding. It has been found that the two U residues located in the selected RNA region trap Ado through the formation of the U:A:U base triple. This was directly confirmed by the HNN-COSY experiment through the detection of spin-spin couplings across the hydrogen bonds for Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen A:U base pairs in the U:A:U base triple.