Fluorescent HIV-1 Dimerization Initiation Site: design, properties, and use for ligand discovery.

The HIV-1 Dimerization Initiation Site (DIS) is an intriguing, yet underutilized, viral RNA target for potential antiretroviral therapy. To study the recognition features of this target and to provide a quantitative, rapid, and real-time tool for the discovery of new binders, a fluorescence-based assay has been constructed. It relies on strategic incorporation of 2-aminopurine, an isosteric fluorescent adenosine analogue, into short hairpin RNA constructs.