Identification of a novel HIV-1 TAR RNA bulge binding protein.

The Tat protein binds to TAR RNA to stimulate the expression of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome. Tat is an 86 amino acid protein that contains a short region of basic residues (aa49-aa57) that are required for RNA binding and TAR is a 59 nucleotide stem-loop with a tripyrimidine bulge in the upper stem. TAR is located at the 5' end of all viral RNAs.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat-dependent activation of translation in Xenopus oocytes by the benzodiazepine Ro24-7429 requires trans-activation response element loop sequences.

Two benzodiazepine compounds, [7-chloro-5-(2-pyrryl)-3H-1,4 benzodiazapin-2-(H)-one] (Ro5-3335) and [7-chloro-5-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-3H-benzo[e] [1,4] diazepin-2-yl]- methylamine (Ro24-7429), inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication via a specific effect on the function of the transactivator protein, Tat. To gain further insight into the mechanism of action of these compounds, we have tested their effects in an alternative assay for Tat activation in Xenopus oocytes. In this system, translation of trans-activation response element (TAR)-containing RNA is activated by Tat.

Sequence analysis of an HIV-1 isolate which displays unusually high-level AZT resistance in vitro.

Multiple mutations in the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene were observed in a drug-resistant isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) from an individual having prolonged (greater than 2 years) zidovudine (AZT) therapy. The virus replicated in PBMC's in the presence of very high concentrations of AZT (125 microM). Drug-sensitive strains were curtailed by 0.