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HIV knows more about us than we do!!

  • 06-10-2003 4:10pm
    #1
    GuanYin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭


    Slightly old news, but BBC have decided that a year later its worth sharing and who am I to disagree.

    HIV research has uncovered the role of a human immune protein thats function was previously unknown and shown that HIV has an immune system of its own.

    HIV produces a protein called virion infectivity factor (Vif). It has been known that Vif play an important role in HIV infection, as Vif deficient HIV in T-cells can't infect other cells, but is infectious when produced in some non-T-cell cells.

    It was concluded about 5 years ago that Vif must disable some anti-viral defence system in T-cells, but noone knew what. Last summer researchers linked Vif to a cytidine deaminase called CEM15 which has now been shown to cause hypermutation in viral RNA. In theory, this would stop HIV from replicating properly, but Vif inhibits CEM15 action and thus counteracts the bodies immune system, allowing HIV to replicate and spread.

    Its opened the way for new HIV research as Vif is a prime candidate for new anti-HIV therapies.

    You gotta marvel at the virus though, I mean its such a basic organism, yet it has such an incredible life cycle. *boggles*


Comments

  • #2
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    Impressive.

    That's what I love about complex things. No matter how basic they look, they always have something new to reveal.


  • #3
    Victor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,580 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    It's all down to Darwin, the virii that have the advantages (in defence, transmitability, etc.) survive and replicate, the others loose out.


  • #4
    GuanYin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    hehe
    my friend did a great description today where he likened it to those starburst thinks that airwolf used to shoot out to intercept heat seeking missiles.


  • #5
    DriftingRain
    Closed Accounts Posts: 965 ✭✭✭DriftingRain


    That's what I love about complex things. No matter how basic they look, they always have something new to reveal.

    :D My thoughts exactly!

    I know its terrible to say but I love a good Virus, just not in me!:rolleyes:


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