An Antiviral Response Directed by PKR Phosphorylation of the RNA Helicase A
2009

How PKR Affects RNA Helicase A and HIV-1 Infection

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sadler Anthony J., Latchoumanin Olivier, Hawkes David, Mak Johnson, Williams Bryan R. G.

Primary Institution: Centre for Cancer Research, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

Hypothesis

PKR interacts with RNA helicase A (RHA) and modulates its function during HIV-1 infection.

Conclusion

PKR phosphorylation of RHA inhibits its ability to bind viral RNA, thereby affecting HIV-1 gene regulation and infectivity.

Supporting Evidence

  • PKR was shown to interact with RHA and phosphorylate it.
  • Phosphorylation of RHA by PKR reduced its ability to bind to double-stranded RNA.
  • HIV-1 infectivity increased when RHA fragments were expressed in cells.

Takeaway

PKR is a protein that helps our body fight viruses, and it can change another protein, RHA, so that it can't help viruses like HIV as much.

Methodology

The study used immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis, and in vitro kinase assays to investigate the interaction between PKR and RHA.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on in vitro experiments, which may not fully replicate in vivo conditions.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.1000311

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication