APOBEC3G Inhibits Elongation of HIV-1 Reverse Transcripts
2008
APOBEC3G Inhibits HIV-1 Reverse Transcription
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Bishop Kate N., Verma Mohit, Kim Eun-Young, Wolinsky Steven M., Malim Michael H.
Primary Institution: King's College London School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Does APOBEC3G inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcription through mechanisms independent of hypermutation?
Conclusion
APOBEC3G reduces HIV-1 cDNA levels by inhibiting the elongation of reverse transcripts rather than promoting their degradation.
Supporting Evidence
- APOBEC3G inhibits the accumulation of early reverse transcription products during HIV-1 infection.
- The inhibition of cDNA accumulation by APOBEC3G is independent of the target cell type.
- APOBEC3G does not require hypermutation to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcription.
- Endogenous APOBEC3G has a similar effect on cDNA accumulation as exogenously expressed APOBEC3G.
Takeaway
APOBEC3G is like a blocker that stops the virus from making copies of itself, but it doesn't do this by breaking the copies; it just makes it hard for the virus to build them.
Methodology
The study used a natural endogenous reverse transcriptase assay to analyze the effects of APOBEC3G on HIV-1 reverse transcription.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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