No-Entry zone for AIDS virus
AIDS virus integrates its genetic material into the genome of the infected cell. Recent research has found specific sites in the human genome that are not affected by this integration process. This information can be used in the development of gene delivery vehicles in gene therapy. About 46,000 known integration sites of HIV-based gene delivery vehicles have been analyzed. These sites were determined in various gene therapy studies and are available in gene databases.
Before, researches used to think that HIV and HIV delivery vehicles have a preference to the sites where the gene transcription starts. Although many HIV vehicles do integrate close to these start points, the database analysis shows that very few of these integration sites were close the transcription start points. This is important information because it gives scientists a detailed map of where in the genome that the HIV does not integrate.
It is believed that the sites in the genome untouched by HIV integration lack a certain factor that is needed for the virus. It is also possible that some mechanism is working at these sites to block the HIV from integrating. We know that the blocking factor is unspecific because other retroviruses prefer to insert their material directly on these start sites.
Scientists agree that the best way to treat viral immune deficiency is to prevent the virus from integrating into the DNA. By studying this mechanism that blocks the HIV from integrating at the transcription start sites, researchers hope to one day be able to mimic and manipulate this mechanism so it can be applied to other unprotected sites in the genome.
Michael McCarroll
VTPP 434-502
Before, researches used to think that HIV and HIV delivery vehicles have a preference to the sites where the gene transcription starts. Although many HIV vehicles do integrate close to these start points, the database analysis shows that very few of these integration sites were close the transcription start points. This is important information because it gives scientists a detailed map of where in the genome that the HIV does not integrate.
It is believed that the sites in the genome untouched by HIV integration lack a certain factor that is needed for the virus. It is also possible that some mechanism is working at these sites to block the HIV from integrating. We know that the blocking factor is unspecific because other retroviruses prefer to insert their material directly on these start sites.
Scientists agree that the best way to treat viral immune deficiency is to prevent the virus from integrating into the DNA. By studying this mechanism that blocks the HIV from integrating at the transcription start sites, researchers hope to one day be able to mimic and manipulate this mechanism so it can be applied to other unprotected sites in the genome.
Michael McCarroll
VTPP 434-502
posted by Michael McCarroll at 9:49 PM
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