Japan found the structure of anti-HIV protein molecule

A group of Japanese scientists have identified the molecular structure of a protein that blocks the development of the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that opens hope to develop a new drug to treat the disease. AIDS.

This finding by researchers at Nagoya Medical Center (NMC) of Nagoya National Hospital and University Organization was published September 23 in the journal Science "Molecular Biology and Natural Structure." ' US electronic version.

HIV virus

The director of the infectious disease laboratory of NMC, Yasumasa Iwatani said, while the anti-HIV remedies often cause side effects and lead to the risk of drug resistance when used for a long time, the discovery of Japanese scientists' group will help 'bring hope to develop a new AIDS treatment that affects the body's own defense mechanism'.

People with antiviral proteins in white blood cells (lymphocytes) but when these proteins combine with a special protein made by HIV called Vif, this AIDS virus will multiply inside the body master infected.

The team analyzed APOBEC3C , which is one of the antiviral proteins, and discovered a hole in the structure in which Vif protein can penetrate inside.

The researchers also identified the breakdown mechanism of APOBEC3C protein after combining it with Vif. The group said it would find compounds that help fill the gap and test the effectiveness of treatment in practice.