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8455640 
Journal Article 
Two-metal ion mechanism of RNA cleavage by HIV RNase H and mechanism-based design of selective HIV RNase H inhibitors 
Klumpp, K; Hang, JQ; Rajendran, S; Yang, Y; Derosier, A; Wong Kai In, P; Overton, H; Parkes, KE; Cammack, N; Martin, JA; , 
2003 
1 
Nucleic Acids Research
ISSN: 0305-1048
EISSN: 1362-4962 
OXFORD UNIV PRESS 
OXFORD 
6852-6859 
English 
14627818 
WOS:000186802500023 
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNase H activity is essential for the synthesis of viral DNA by HIV reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT). RNA cleavage by RNase H requires the presence of divalent metal ions, but the role of metal ions in the mechanism of RNA cleavage has not been resolved. We measured HIV RNase H activity associated with HIV-RT protein in the presence of different concentrations of either Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+ or a combination of these divalent metal ions. Polymerase-independent HIV RNase H was similar to or more active with Mn2+ and Co2+ compared with Mg2+. Activation of RNase H by these metal ions followed sigmoidal dose-response curves suggesting cooperative metal ion binding. Titration of Mg2+-bound HIV RNase H with Mn2+ or Co2+ ions generated bell-shaped activity dose-response curves. Higher activity could be achieved through simultaneous binding of more than one divalent metal ion at intermediate Mn2+ and Co2+ concentrations, and complete replacement of Mg2+ occurred at higher Mn2+ or Co2+ concentrations. These results are consistent with a two-metal ion mechanism of RNA cleavage as previously suggested for a number of polymerase-associated nucleases. In contrast, the structurally highly homologous RNase HI from Escherichia coli is most strongly activated by Mg2+, is significantly inhibited by submillimolar concentrations of Mn2+ and most probably cleaves RNA via a one-metal ion mechanism. Based on this difference in active site structure, a series of small molecule N-hydroxyimides was identified with significant enzyme inhibitory potency and selectivity for HIV RNase H.