Revisiting the NPcis mouse model: A new tool to model plexiform neurofibroma.

Neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1) is a rare genetic disorder. NF1 patients frequently develop a benign tumor in peripheral nerve plexuses called plexiform neurofibroma. In the past two decades, tissue-specific Nf1 knockout mouse models were developed using commercially available tissue-specific Cre recombinase and the Nf1 flox mice to mimic neurofibroma development.

Mitotic deacetylase complex (MiDAC) recognizes the HIV-1 core promoter to control activated viral gene expression.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrates into the host genome forming latent cellular reservoirs that are an obstacle for cure or remission strategies. Viral transcription is the first step in the control of latency and depends upon the hijacking of the host cell RNA polymerase II (Pol II) machinery by the 5' HIV LTR. Consequently, "block and lock" or "shock and kill" strategies for an HIV cure depend upon a full understanding of HIV transcriptional control.

Opposing roles of CLK SR kinases in controlling HIV-1 gene expression and latency.

Background: The generation of over 69 spliced HIV-1 mRNAs from one primary transcript by alternative RNA splicing emphasizes the central role that RNA processing plays in HIV-1 replication. Control is mediated in part through the action of host SR proteins whose activity is regulated by multiple SR kinases (CLK1-4, SRPKs).

Methods: Both shRNA depletion and small molecule inhibitors of host SR kinases were used in T cell lines and primary cells to evaluate the role of these factors in the regulation of HIV-1 gene expression.

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Résumé La latence du virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) est actuellement un obstacle majeur à l'éradication des cellules infectées. En effet, en état de latence, le VIH se réplique peu et produit une faible quantité de protéines virales ; il est donc hors d'atteinte des traitements antirétroviraux ciblant les enzymes essentielles du cycle viral et invisible pour le système immunitaire qui ne peut détecter les protéines virales à la surface des cellules infectées. De plus, la latence étant un état réversible maintenu principalement par la pression exercée par les traitements antirétroviraux sur le virus qui peut se réactiver lorsque ces traitements sont interrompus.

Cat and Mouse: HIV Transcription in Latency, Immune Evasion and Cure/Remission Strategies.

There is broad scientific and societal consensus that finding a cure for HIV infection must be pursued. The major barrier to achieving a cure for HIV/AIDS is the capacity of the HIV virus to avoid both immune surveillance and current antiretroviral therapy (ART) by rapidly establishing latently infected cell populations, termed latent reservoirs. Here, we provide an overview of the rapidly evolving field of HIV cure/remission research, highlighting recent progress and ongoing challenges in the understanding of HIV reservoirs, the role of HIV transcription in latency and immune evasion.

The emerging landscape of small nucleolar RNAs in cell biology.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a large class of small noncoding RNAs present in all eukaryotes sequenced thus far. As a family, they have been well characterized as playing a central role in ribosome biogenesis, guiding either the sequence-specific chemical modification of pre-rRNA (ribosomal RNA) or its processing. However, in higher eukaryotes, numerous orphan snoRNAs were described over a decade ago, with no known target or ascribed function, suggesting the possibility of alternative cellular functionality.