For the first time ever Scientists have been able to
photograph the protein lattice of an immature HIV strand. Researches from the
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, along with
partners from Heidelberg University combined their efforts to capture the image
at an astonishingly high resolution. The Researches collaborate on a joint
partnership in the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit. To their amazement, the
building blocks of the immature HIV strand are arranged in a way they did not
expect.
"We
assumed that retroviruses like HIV and Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus would have
similar structures, because they use such similar building blocks, but it turns
out that their immature forms are surprisingly different from each other. At
this point, we don't really know why." – John Briggs, Group Leader &
Senior Scientists -EMBL
Immature HIV(center) clearly arranged differently in comparison to the Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus(left). Further rearrangement allows immature HIV to take shape of mature HIV(right). |
The scientists used cryo-electron microscopy to study the
structure of the protein that surrounded HIV’s genetic material. Once HIV enters our body it attacks a cell in
our immune system. From there, HIV replicates and through assembly, becomes an
immature form like the one scientists photographed.
Researchers at the EMBL have photographed an immature strand
of HIV before in the early 1990s. However, after two decades, the scientists
were able to obtain a detailed picture of the protein lattice that surrounds
the immature HIV. With the new image, the scientists can pinpoint exactly where
each building block resides in the structure. This allows for potential new
drug targets and also provides new details on how potential mutations may
affect the replication process.
The new images is a step in the right direction for finding
a cure for HIV. As scientists continue their research they’ll hopefully develop
new drugs to target particular building blocks in order to diminish the ability
for HIV to replicate. Also, this opens the door for research on other viruses.
With the clarity of the image, other viruses can be photographed to see how
they work in transporting material inside susceptible immune system cells. They
may be able to develop new treatment plans to target the transporting of the
material into the cells or the force a mutation of the protein replication
process in order to defeat HIV and other viruses for good.
Article Related: Cryo-Electron Microscopy -
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24623
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