Cleavage of the HIV replication primer tRNALys,3 in human cells expressing bacterial anticodon nuclease

Abstract

Anticodon nuclease is a bacterial restriction enzyme directed against tRNALv8. We report that anticodon nuclease also cleaves mammalian tRNALys molecules, with preference and site specificity shown towards the natural substrate. Expression of the anticodon nuclease core polypeptide PrrC In HeLa cells from a recomblnant vaccinia virus elicited cleavage of intra-cellular tRNALys,3The data justify an inquiry into the possible application of anticodon nuclease as an inhibitor of tRNALys,3-primed HIV replication. They also indicate that the anticodon region of tRNALys is a substrate recognition site and suggest that PrrC harbors the enzymatic activity. © 1995 Oxford University Press.