SOLUTION CONFORMATION OF A PEPTIDE CORRESPONDING TO RESIDUES-151-172 OF HIV-1 INTEGRASE USING NMR AND CD SPECTROSCOPY

The solution structure of a synthetic peptide corresponding to residue s 151-172 of HIV-1 integrase has been determined by NMR and CD spectro scopy. Residues 151-172 of HIV-1 integrase were predicted to be an cc- helix and to be responsible for the oligomerization of HIV-1 integrase . Two-dimensional H-1 NMR and CD studies indicate that this synthetic peptide adopts an amphipathic alpha-helical conformation in TFE-contai ning solution. However, concentration-dependent CD studies reveal that this peptide motif does not form dimers or oligomers in solution as p redicted. These results are in agreement with the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of HIV-1 integrase reported recently. (C) Munksg aard 1996.