Exploring the binding of d(GGGT)4 to the HIV-1 integrase: An approach to investigate G-quadruplex aptamer/target protein interactions

The aptamer d(GGGT)4 (T30923 or T30695) forms a 5′-5′ dimer of two stacked parallel G-quadruplexes, each characterized by three G-tetrads and three single-thymidine reversed-chain loops. This aptamer has been reported to exhibit anti-HIV activity by targeting the HIV integrase, a viral enzyme responsible for the integration of viral DNA into the host-cell genome. However, information concerning the aptamer/target interaction is still rather limited. In this communication we report microscale thermophoresis investigations on the interaction between the HIV-1 integrase and d(GGGT)4 aptamer analogues containing abasic sites singly replacing thymidines in the original sequence. This approach has allowed the identification of which part of the aptamer G-quadruplex structure is mainly involved in the interaction with the protein.