Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
corner top left block corner top right

MU Researcher Refining Synthetic Molecules to Prevent HIV Resistance

December 17, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. -Evolving HIV viral strains and the adverse side effects associated with long-term exposure to current treatments propel scientists to continue exploring alternative HIV treatments. In a new study, a University of Missouri researcher has identified broad-spectrum aptamers. Aptamers are synthetic molecules that prevent the HIV virus from reproducing. In lab tests, aptamers known as RT5, RT6, RT47 and some variants of those were recently identified to be broad-spectrum, which would allow them to treat many subtypes of HIV-1. Now, researchers are gaining a better understanding of the biochemical characteristics that make aptamers broad-spectrum.

"Aptamers are promising candidates as anti-HIV and anti-cancer therapeutic agents for reducing virus infectivity," said Donald Burke-Aguero, an associate professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center. "They also might be beneficial in developing gene therapy applications."

In cell cultures, aptamers have suppressed viral replication by inhibiting important enzymes in the HIV-1 virus. One important enzyme is reverse transciptase (RT), which copies genetic material and generates new viruses. Scientists hope to create aptamers that will disrupt RT and suppress the virus's growth. Aptamers can reduce viral infectivity by blocking the normal action of RT.

"Successful aptamers get in the way of the virus's genetic material, which it is trying to copy as it invades a cell," Burke-Aguero said. "The structure of the aptamer is very important. Broad-spectrum aptamers must have an adaptable structure, which make it difficult for RT to get around them.

There are several different HIV-1 subtypes around the world, and each subtype has a different amino acid sequence making it difficult to create a single aptamer that will work on every substype. Synthetic molecules must be the right size and shape to bind with HIV proteins, Burke-Aguero said.

"The first batch of aptamers developed were designed for a particular virus and would not work on all strains of HIV," Burke-Aguero said. "Now our goal is to develop broad-spectrum aptamers. If an aptamer has broad-spectrum function, viruses will be less likely to develop resistance to the therapy. We are in the process of refining aptamers and understanding the nature of resistance in order to get multi-year to lifetime protection."

Burke-Aguero's study, "Novel Bimodular DNA Aptamers with Guanosine Quadruplexes Inhibit Phylogenetically Diverse HIV-1 Reverse Transciptases," was published in Nucleic Acids Research. It was co-authored by Daniel Michalowski and Rebecca Chitima-Matsiga.

University of Missouri




  Drug resistance factors into HIV treatment failures.(Practice Trends): An article from: OB GYN News
by Heidi Splete (Author)


This digital document is an article from OB GYN News, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2005. The length of the article is 594 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Drug resistance factors into HIV treatment failures.(Practice Trends)
Author: Heidi Splete
Publication: OB GYN News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 40 Issue: 21 Page: 45(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

  In HIV therapy adherence, almost isn't good enough.(Clinical Rounds): An article from: Skin & Allergy News
by Michele G. Sullivan (Author)


This digital document is an article from Skin & Allergy News, published by International Medical News Group on May 1, 2005. The length of the article is 488 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: In HIV therapy adherence, almost isn't good enough.(Clinical Rounds)
Author: Michele G. Sullivan
Publication: Skin & Allergy News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2005
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Page: 44(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

  A Practical Guide to HIV Drug Resistance and Its Implications for Antiretroviral Treatment Strategies (HIV Clinical Management Series)
by Douglas Richman and Schlomo Staszewski (Author)




COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENTS: Opportunistic infections to consider in differential diagnosis Patients with HIV infection ... in primary care. (Postgraduate Medicine)

COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENTS: Opportunistic infections to consider in differential diagnosis Patients with HIV infection ... in primary care. (Postgraduate Medicine)
by JTE Multimedia


Differential diagnosis can be extensive in immunocompromised patients who present for evaluation of apparent community-acquired pneumonia. In addition to the usual pathogens seen in the general population, many opportunistic organisms of widely differing classes may require consideration. Here, the authors have chosen to focus on four pathogens that may be overlooked in the primary care setting. Epidemiologic, clinical, and therapeutic points are highlighted.

Original Publication Date: January 2003

DESIGNING SALVAGE ANTIRETROVIRAL REGIMENS: Some basic guidelines and use of resistance testing (Postgraduate Medicine1)

DESIGNING SALVAGE ANTIRETROVIRAL REGIMENS: Some basic guidelines and use of resistance testing (Postgraduate Medicine1)
by JTE Multimedia


In the field of HIV medicine, the term "salvage regimen" refers to one that is constructed for a patient in whom multiple previous regimens have been unsuccessful, for a wide variety of reasons. Although such regimens may have unproved efficacy, they are based on some solid scientific data or principles. In this article, the authors discuss the current state of genotyping and phenotyping used for resistance testing, the challenges involved in interpreting the data they provide, and factors to keep in mind when considering a switch to a different treatment regimen. Hardy WD, Hitt RS. Designing salvage antiretroviral regimens: some basic guidelines and use of resistance testing.

Original Publication Date: April 2000

  Pluses and minuses of HIV drug resistance testing: better information coming.(Clinical Rounds): An article from: Family Practice News
by Robert Finn (Author)


This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on March 1, 2004. The length of the article is 718 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Pluses and minuses of HIV drug resistance testing: better information coming.(Clinical Rounds)
Author: Robert Finn
Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2004
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 34 Issue: 5 Page: 35(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

  Pluses, minuses of HIV drug resistance testing: several factors diminish utility.(Dermatologic Therapy): An article from: Skin & Allergy News
by Robert Finn (Author)


This digital document is an article from Skin & Allergy News, published by International Medical News Group on April 1, 2004. The length of the article is 597 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Pluses, minuses of HIV drug resistance testing: several factors diminish utility.(Dermatologic Therapy)
Author: Robert Finn
Publication: Skin & Allergy News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2004
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Page: 48(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

  HIV resistance despite perfect HAART adherence: complete viral suppression needed. (Infectious Diseases).: An article from: Internal Medicine News
by Robert Finn (Author)


This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on April 1, 2003. The length of the article is 728 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: HIV resistance despite perfect HAART adherence: complete viral suppression needed. (Infectious Diseases).
Author: Robert Finn
Publication: Internal Medicine News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2003
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 36 Issue: 7 Page: 42(2)

Distributed by Thomson...

  Recognize HIV regimen resistance early: keep options open.(Infectious Diseases): An article from: Internal Medicine News
by Damian McNamara (Author)


This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on July 15, 2003. The length of the article is 696 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Recognize HIV regimen resistance early: keep options open.(Infectious Diseases)
Author: Damian McNamara
Publication: Internal Medicine News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 15, 2003
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 36 Issue: 14 Page: 22(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

  Spot HIV regimen resistance early to prevent Tx failure: keep options open. (treatment).(Dermatologic Therapy): An article from: Skin & Allergy News
by Damian McNamara (Author)


This digital document is an article from Skin & Allergy News, published by International Medical News Group on October 1, 2003. The length of the article is 678 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Spot HIV regimen resistance early to prevent Tx failure: keep options open. (treatment).(Dermatologic Therapy)
Author: Damian McNamara
Publication: Skin & Allergy News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2003
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 34 Issue: 10 Page: 30(1)

Distributed by Thomson...

corner bottom left corner bottom right
© 2012 BrightSurf.com