Gene Found that Prevents HIV Replication

The discovery could lead to a new genre of AIDS drugs, they say. The findings were reported in the August 8, 2002, issue of Nature.

The researchers found that a gene called CEM15 is a natural inhibitor of HIV, serving as a brake on HIV development. Biologically tying up a protein called Vif (virion infectivity factor) allows CEM15 to stop the virus from reproducing.

"If you can inhibit Vif, or stop it from inhibiting the CEM15 protein, you have a great antiviral,” said virologist Roger Pomerantz, M.D., of the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia (PA, USA). "Nothing in HIV will be infectious.” Dr. Pomerantz and colleagues from King's College in London (UK) conducted the research.

The researchers still do not know exactly how Vif works, but learning how to stop Vif's activity is crucial to allowing CEM15 to affect HIV. "The next step is to understand how Vif inhibits this cell protein,” added Dr. Pomerantz.




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