June 2, 2008

Scientists Identify New HIV-Fighting Protein

Researchers have identified a protein that restricts newly formed copies of HIV from being released from CD4 cells. According to Science Daily, the new discovery, to be reported in a future issue of Nature Medicine, may lead to new treatments for HIV.

Scientists have long known about an HIV protein, called Vpu, that’s needed by the virus to release new copies of itself from cells. It is widely believed that HIV evolved this protein to counteract the effect of a protein inside CD4 cells that would otherwise restrict the release of new virus.

Vasundhara Varthakavi, DVM, PhD, from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and her colleagues identified calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML) inside CD4s and theorized that it is the protein responsible for blocking the release of new HIV copies from the cells. Varthakavi’s team found that, when replicating inside CD4 cells that do not contain CAML, HIV no longer needs Vpu. This, the researchers report, supports their hypothesis that CAML is the key protein that Vpu counteracts.

In a press release, one of the article’s coauthors, Paul Spearman, MD, from Emory University in Atlanta, states that his group will continue its work to better understand the interaction between Vpu and CAML and says, “We hope this will lead us to new treatments.”

Search: CD4, calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand, CAML, Vpu, Vasundhara Varthakavi, Vanderbilt University, Paul Spearman, Emory University

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mona shrestha, USA, 2008-07-03 02:54:11
Hi Mr Ujjwal Baral The organic green tea has been found in Nepal If I find any information I will post it for you

Ujjwal Baral, Kathmandu, 2008-06-04 04:02:55
Last time also,I received a news of organic green tea......EGCG(epigallocathecin 3 gallete) that is found in organic green tea and it inhibits HIV virus binding to CD4 cells.........where is the follow up news.........