Researchers find distinct differences are not identical between the retrovirus -
In the most comprehensive study of its kind, researchers at the Institute of Molecular Virology and School of dentistry at the University of Minnesota report that most types of retroviruses have non-identical virus distinct structures.
researchers analyzed seven different retroviruses, including two types of HIV-1 and HTLV, a virus that causes leukemia T cell They also examined retroviruses that infect birds, mice, chimpanzees and fish, which can cause cancer or immunodeficiency.
"Each type of retrovirus has distinct structural characteristics and each assembles viral particles differently," said Louis Mansky, Ph. D., director of the Institute of Molecular Virology, who is also a member of the Centre Masonic cancer. "Most researchers assume that all retroviruses are like HIV, but they are not. We can not take a one-size-fits approach when studying retroviruses and discover new strategies for antiviral treatment or vaccines. "
Mansky team looked at the behavior of Gag retroviral proteins, which cause the formation of retrovirus particles. Once the virus enters a cell, reverse transcriptase converts the viral RNA into DNA, which then creates the Gag protein.
Understanding the nature of the interactions of Gag proteins with each other and how the shape of structures will help scientists better understand how and why the virus works. It will also identify ways to target the virus and prevent it from infecting a cell first.
The study examined the size of virus-like particles, cell distribution and morphological characteristics of three distinct base by microscopy techniques.
The team noted that:
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 Gag proteins that assemble retrovirus-like particles with structures and sizes, which implies that 'there are differences in how the two types of HIV form new viral particles. -. HIV and HTLV-1 particles are distinct from each other in appearance, which also suggests fundamental differences in the assembly of viral particles
"We found significant differences between the retrovirus" said Jessica Martin, Senior Ph.D. student at the Department of Pharmacology and senior author of the study. "A parallel comparative study evaluating Gag retroviral proteins and intermediate virus particles of this size and scope has never been done before."
The team was surprised to find that one of retroviruses, the golden skin of sarcoma virus (WDSV) does not easily produce a particulate disease virus can affect anything from 1 to 30 percent walleye in a population, depending on the location. This research could help scientists better understand how aquatic disease control.
"Our study helps to highlight the importance of serendipity basic scientific research," said Mansky. "We wanted to learn more about the differences between the two major human retroviruses, namely HIV and HTLV, which we did, but our results also point to significant differences between light any type of retrovirus that could inform not only the treatment of human viral diseases but may also affect aquatic health in fishing. "
the study findings will help provide a basis for studying the differences between the retroviruses, including HIV.
"The scientific community can build on our findings to develop new antiviral treatments, and hopefully determine how to stop these viruses cause fatal diseases in humans such as cancer and AIDS," Mansky said.
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