TAR-regulated reverse transcripition in HIV-1.

Funded Activity Summary

During reverse transcription, the positive-strand HIV-1 RNA genome is converted into a double-stranded DNA copy which can be permanently insert into the host cell genome. Our laboratory and others have shown that reverse transcription requires a complex array of molecules, which includes the viral RNA. These RNA can be organised into elaborate structures that have only been partially defined. Genetic experiments have revealed that one of these RNA structures, called TAR, is required for optimal initiation of reverse transcription (the first step of reverse transcription), but the precise mechanism is unknown. Recent advances in our laboratory have enabled a comprehensive study of the role played by TAR RNA in reverse transcription. Our leading hypotheses regarding the mechanism is required that TAR interacts with other RNA sequences or Reverse transcriptase in the initiation complex so that the reaction is optimal. This proposal will investigate these two leading hypotheses. Given the enormity of the HIV pandemic and the many recent reports from the United States that most patient isolated virus is resistant to at least one antiretroviral drug, these studies have as an outcome the identification and characterisation of important new key molecules towards which antiretroviral strategies can be designed.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $254,250.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Applied immunology (incl. antibody engineering xenotransplantation and t-cell therapies)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

HIV/AIDS infectious disease | RNA | biochemistry | human immunodeficiency virus | molecular biology and biochemistry | reverse transcription | virus infection

Related Links