An anti-Tat hairpin ribozyme and a TAR RNA decoy were combined in one molecule. The chimeric molecule strongly inhibited HIV-1 replication (measured as changes in p24 levels in viral replication assays). The inhibitory action of the ribodecozyme (85%) was significantly greater than that shown by ribozyme and a non-catalytic variant carrying the functional decoy RNA domain (55% and 35%, respectively). This represents a significant improvement of the inhibitory efficiency of the ribozyme, suggesting there is an additive inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication by the catalytic and decoy domains. This strategy could be used to create new inhibitor RNAs with enhanced in vivo performance.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/rna.2.2.2044 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Sexually Transmitted and Bloodborne Infections Surveillance and Molecular Epidemiology, Sexually Transmitted and Bloodborne Infections Division at the JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, National Microbiology Laboratories, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3L5, Canada.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV) set-point viral load is a strong predictor of disease progression and transmission risk. A recent genome-wide association study in individuals of African ancestries identified a region on chromosome 1 significantly associated with decreased HIV set-point viral load. Knockout of the closest gene, CHD1L, enhanced HIV replication in vitro in myeloid cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
SAMHD1 is a dNTPase that impedes replication of HIV-1 in myeloid cells and resting T lymphocytes. Here we elucidate the substrate activation mechanism of SAMHD1, which involves dNTP binding at allosteric sites and transient tetramerization. Our findings reveal that tetramerization alone is insufficient to promote dNTP hydrolysis; instead, the activation mechanism requires an inactive tetrameric intermediate with partially occupied allosteric sites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Virol
January 2025
Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
One key determinant of HIV-1 latency reversal is the activation of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) by cellular transcription factors such as NF-κB and AP-1. Interestingly, the activity of these two transcription factors can be modulated by glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). Furthermore, the HIV-1 genome contains multiple binding sites for GRs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEBioMedicine
January 2025
State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China; Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, 110001, China; Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, 110001, China. Electronic address:
Background: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively inhibits viral replication, it does not fully mitigate the immunosenescence instigated by HIV infection. Cellular metabolism regulates cellular differentiation, survival, and senescence. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is the first key enzyme for the entry of serine into the mitochondria from the de novo synthesis pathway that orchestrates its conversion glutathione (GSH), a key molecule in neutralising ROS and ensuring the stability of the immune system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntimicrob Agents Chemother
January 2025
Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, New Jersey, USA.
The development of new and improved antiretroviral therapies that allow for alternative dosing schedules is needed for people living with HIV-1. Islatravir is a deoxyadenosine analog in development for the treatment of HIV-1 that suppresses HIV-1 replication via multiple mechanisms of action, including reverse transcriptase translocation inhibition and delayed chain termination. Islatravir is differentiated from other HIV-1 antiretrovirals by its high potency, long , broad tissue distribution, and favorable drug resistance profile.
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