AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, June 7, 2004
Staff Medical Writers

Published in the May 18 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this research provides new insight into the chemical events that allow viruses like HIV to replicate within cells. When the virus enters a host cell, according to the study, its RNA genomes are converted to DNA, which integrates into the DNA of the host cell.

The study used a chicken virus modified to carry HIV, and reveals the steps taken by the retrovirus between entry (merging with the surface layers of the target cell) and protein expression (hitching onto the cell's own genetic material).

"This technique shows us what happens after the virus first steps in the door, and removes its coating," said John Young, professor of infectious disease at Salk. "We now know that molecules exist in cells that help the virus converts its RNA genome to DNA but we don't yet know what those molecules are," said Young.

"Once we identify cellular factors that regulate HIV replication, we may be able to devise new treatments for other viral infections, as well," said Young.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Narayan S, Young JA. "Reconstitution of retroviral fusion and uncoating in a cell-free system", Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 May 18;101(20):7721-6

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