A novel RNA motif that binds efficiently and specifically to the Tat protein of HIV and inhibits the <i>trans</i>‐activation by Tat of transcription <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>

Abstract

Our results indicate that a novel aptamer, RNATat, retained strong affinity for Tat even in the presence of a large excess of HIV TAR. RNATat binds efficiently to Tat proteins or peptides derived from either HIV-1 or HIV-2. Unlike TAR RNA, RNATat affinity does not depend upon cellular proteins such as cyclin T1, thus RNATat has the potential for use as a molecular recognition element in biosensors.