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. 1990 Dec 11;18(23):6903–6907. doi: 10.1093/nar/18.23.6903

Down modulation of HIV-1 gene expression using a procaryotic RNA-binding protein.

B Berkhout 1, K T Jeang 1
PMCID: PMC332748  PMID: 2124673

Abstract

The coat protein of the single stranded RNA bacteriophages acts as a translational repressor by binding with high affinity to a target RNA that encompasses the ribosomal binding site of the replicase gene. We have expressed this procaryotic RNA-binding protein in mammalian cells. Using the coat protein binding site attached to the HIV-1 5' leader RNA, we tested for the biological effect of co-expressed bacteriophage protein. We found that HIV-1 LTR-directed expression within this context was inhibited in trans by the coat protein. This example suggests the feasibility of using procaryotic RNA-binding proteins as genetic modulators in eucaryotic cells.

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Selected References

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