17th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Molecular Dynamics Studies of Arginine Side-chain Dynamics in the HIV Rev-RRE Complex under High and Low Salt Conditions
Angela R. Soemo
Dr. Maria Nagan, Faculty Mentor
The human immunodeficiency virus Type-I (HIV-1) leads to the onset of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which has reesulted in the deaths of 3 million people in 2003 alone (UNAIDS). The interaction between the Rev peptide and the rev response element (RRE) sequence in messenger RNA (mRNA) is a critical step in the HIV-1 lifecycle. Rev-RRE bining allows mRNA to be transported out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm of the cell where viral proteins can be translated (Chen et al). The purpose of our study is to look at how this interaction occurs between Rev and RRE. It turns out that the REV peptide is arginine rich (11 of 23 amino acids). Arginine has a long chain of carbons ending with two amine groups, on of which is positively charged. We are using molecular dynamics simulations to observe how these positively charged arginine side-chains bind to RRE in the presence of high and low salt concentrations (150 mM and 50 mM, respectively) to examine the strength of arginine binding to the RRE RNA.
Keywords: HIV-I, Rev peptide, RRE RNA, molecular dynamics, arginine, salt concentrations
Topic(s):Chemistry
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-30
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15