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December 2003
Putting a brake on HIV-1
The AIDS virus HIV-1 can exist in cells in an inactive or latent form. The virus appears to be restricted from growing in resting T lymphocytes, for example. It is important to understand the factors responsible for this inhibition of viral growth because it can affect AIDS progression and viral rebound after discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy. An important step in that direction is reported this week, with the discovery that Murr1, a gene product known previously for its involvement in copper regulation, restricts HIV-1 replication in resting CD4+ T cells via an effect on the proteasome. Elimination of Murr1 by RNA interference increased HIV-1 replication in resting cells. Further characterization of this protein and its mode of action will help to identify targets through which antiviral drugs may delay the progression of HIV-1 infection to AIDS.
The gene product Murr1 restricts HIV-1 replication
in resting CD4+ lymphocytes
LAKSHMANAN GANESH, EZRA BURSTEIN, ANURADHA GUHA-NIYOGI,
MARK K. LOUDER, JOHN R. MASCOLA, LEO W. J. KLOMP, CISCA WIJMENGA, COLIN
S. DUCKETT & GARY J. NABEL
Nature 426, 853–857 (2003); doi:10.1038/nature02171
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