Localized influence of 2'-hydroxyl groups and gelix geometry on protein recognition in the RNA major groove

The minimal 2'-hydroxyl group required for specific recognition of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) TAR by arginine and bovine immunodeficiency viruses (BIV) TAR by a BIV Tat peptide is defined. The results suggested that the helix geometries and unique conformational features required for binding are established locally and are relatively insulated from effects more than one base pair away.