A chemical modification in the HIV-1 RNA genome whose function has been a matter of scientific debate is now confirmed to be key to the virus's ability to survive and thrive after infecting host cells, a new study has found.
Apr 12 2024The Ohio State University A chemical modification in the HIV -1 RNA genome whose function has been a matter of scientific debate is now confirmed to be key to the virus's ability to survive and thrive after infecting host cells, a new study has found.
"These sites are very important for producing virus proteins and for producing viral genomic RNA," said senior study author Sanggu Kim, associate professor of veterinary biosciences and an investigator in the Center for Retrovirus Research at The Ohio State University. The virus is a good example of why research on RNA modification has been getting a lot of attention in recent years, Kim said. Once thought of as the "middle guy" between DNA's genes and life-sustaining proteins, RNA is now known to contain not just genetic information, but also to possess functional significance – in part because of the chemical modifications that accompany its messenger task.
Related StoriesThough the m6A modification was known to exist in HIV-1, previous studies had produced conflicting results about whether it helped or harmed the virus, primarily because its location was unknown and efforts to understand its effect were based on knocking out host cell genes rather than mutating the virus genome itself.
"Until now we didn't know which exact nucleotides are modified and how they function, and how it's important for viruses or how it's important for cells. Our paper addresses the keys to these important questions," Kim said.
HIV-1 RNA Adenosine Gene Gene Expression Genes Genome Genomic Microbiology Molecule Protein Research Virus
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Study confirms how RNA chemical modifications benefit HIV-1A recent study has confirmed the positive effects of RNA chemical modifications on HIV-1. The research highlights the potential of these modifications in developing new treatments for the virus.
Read more »
Revealing characteristics of circulating cell-free RNA in the blood of liver cancer patientsRecently, the research findings of the team led by CAS Academician Xiang Zhou from Wuhan University were published in the National Science Review. The team successfully developed an efficient technique for enriching trace amounts of circulating nucleic acids in blood.
Read more »
Transdifferentiation with RNA sequencing aids diagnosis of genetic disordersResearchers at Baylor College of Medicine have tested the feasibility of using human cell transdifferentiation with RNA sequencing to facilitate diagnoses of Mendelian disorders. The approach generated an overall diagnostic yield of 25.4% in a cohort of Undiagnosed Diseases Network cases.
Read more »
Targeting a non-encoding stretch of RNA may shrink pediatric brain tumors in miceTargeting a non-encoding stretch of RNA may help shrink tumors caused by an aggressive type of brain cancer in children, according to new research in mice reported March 8 in Cell Reports by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center investigators.
Read more »
RNA-based therapy shows promise against aggressive childhood brain tumors in miceTargeting a non-encoding stretch of RNA may help shrink tumors caused by an aggressive type of brain cancer in children, according to new research in mice reported March 8 in Cell Reports by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center investigators.
Read more »
Sadiq Khan faces backlash after unveiling plans for 'Bakerloop Express' bus service instead of £10bn...The London Mayor has promised to bring forward the limited stop service linking Elephant and Castle with Lewisham along the proposed Underground line expansion's first section.
Read more »