Researchers Identify Protein in Monkey Cells That Blocks HIV; Could Help Scientists Develop Drugs, Vaccine
February 26, 2004
Researchers have identified in monkey cells a protein that naturally blocks HIV that could help scientists develop drug treatments for HIV-positive people, according to a study published in the Feb. 26 issue of the journal Nature, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The protein, called TRIM5-alpha, is similar to a protein found in human cells, according to the Chronicle (Russell, San Francisco Chronicle, 2/26). Researchers from the Harvard University Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School created a library of the 40,000 genes in a rhesus macaque monkey's genome and then inserted each gene into human cells that usually would be vulnerable to HIV infection, according to the Wall Street Journal (Chase, Wall Street Journal, 2/26). Researchers developed a hybrid virus using parts of HIV and the simian immunodeficiency virus that could effectively infect monkeys, the New York Times reports. The hybrid virus consisted of HIV's genetic material contained within the capsid, or protective coating, of SIV (Kolata, New York Times, 2/26). Researchers next introduced the hybrid into the cells. The hybrid virus was equipped to "emit a green florescent light" when infection occurred, the Journal reports. Cells that became infected "shone bright green" and cells in which no infection occurred remained dark, according to the Journal (Wall Street Journal, 2/26). Researchers found that TRIM5-alpha is effective at preventing HIV infection by preventing the virus from shedding its capsid, which is the first step in HIV replication after the virus has entered a cell (BBC News, 2/25). Lead researcher Joseph Sodroski said, "Cells carrying the gene for TRIM5-alpha didn't get infected, no matter how much HIV you put on them," adding, "It is really potent in blocking HIV" (Wall Street Journal, 2/26).
To read the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases's press release on this study, click here.
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This article was provided by Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. It is a part of the publication Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report. Visit the Kaiser Family Foundation's website to find out more about their activities, publications and services.