Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Integrase Model Could Help Scientists Understand HIV

AIDS is not only a human disease, cats can get AIDS also. Both HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) rely on one of the same proteins, called integrase. This protein is what inserts the virus' DNA into an infected cell's DNA. Researchers Akram Alian and Meytal Galilee at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have been investigating this protein and may have discovered a weak point in integrase that has potential to be targeted by drug designers in the future.

Akram Alian working in the lab on FIV integrase research.

The researchers have created a detailed, 3-D molecular map of integrase that could also help in the understanding of how the protein works in HIV. One particular point of interest is a specific amino acid that they have found to be critical in how the protein assembles itself from simpler building blocks; this would be useful in creating an anti-HIV drug. The researchers have also determined that changing just one amino acid converts the integrase in FIV from its complex form to a more simplified version.

From studying the model of FIV integrase in detail, researchers have concluded that simple and complex forms have nearly identical backbones, which could make it easier for scientists to study the simpler form in the laboratory while knowing their discoveries will apply to the more complex version in HIV as well.

Akram and Galilee hope to continue their research and next focus on how FIV could evolve over time. They think this will help them predict how emergent resistant viral variants may evolve to escape or become resistant to future drugs.

I initially chose this article because I have a cat and know they test/vaccinate kittens at the vet for feline AIDS. Once I actually read it though it was interesting beyond that. Studying integrase in the FIV seems to be very promising for advances in combating HIV. Advances like this is are important as AIDS and HIV have such a large impact on society and are still not fully understood.

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140916101808.htm