Mayo Researchers Discover Hiv Dependence On a Human Protein;Essential for Infection, Protein Is Potential Therapy Target

Summary

---

ROCHESTER, Minn., Sept. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Mayo Clinic virologists have discovered that a specific human protein is essential for HIV to integrate into the human genome. Their findings show that when HIV inserts itself into a chromosome, a key step that enables it to establish a "safe haven," it requires a specific protein -- LEDGF/p75 (p75). This protein forms a molecular tether between chromosomes and HIV's integrating protein (integrase). If the connection can be disrupted in the future, it might lead to new therapy for HIV or safer methods of gene therapy. The details appear today in the journal Science.

"How an incoming virus co-opts the cell's assistance as it proceeds to establish its permanently integrated state is a fascinating question," said Eric Poeschla, M.D., the Mayo Clinic virologist who led the research. "It's critical to understand this better because permanently integrated viruses in long-lived cells prevent elimination of HIV. In the future, it will be of interest to examine whether HIV's dependence on p75 can be exploited therapeutically."

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Mayo Researchers Discover Hiv Dependence On a Human Protein;Essential for Infection, Protein Is Potential Therapy Target

How They Did It

The researchers started by noticing that p75 "tethers" HIV integrase to human chromosomes like a molecular rope and al...

See the full content of this document

---