HIV ADVANCES

US researchers have found a protein - p27SJ - extracted from the herb St John's wort suppresses HIV-1 gene expression.
The study by Philadelphia's Temple University School of Medicine will be published online in the October 27 issue of Gene Therapy.
Lead author Professor Kamel Khalili said scientists were originally examining plant extracts from St John's wort in vitro to see if they affected cell growth or the behaviour of brain cells.
They subsequently found that plant extract inhibited HIV-1 gene expression and replication in infected cells.
After identifying the protein, the group cloned the gene, which they realised was a new protein and named p27SJ.
"It has unique characteristics," Professor Khalili said. 'Remember, it is a plant protein, and so far, to my knowledge, there is no similar protein to that in mammalian cells."
After cloning the gene, the team was able to identify the molecular mechanism by which the protein is able to suppress HIV-1 gene expression and replication, Professor Khalili said.
"Our studies indicate that p27SJ has the capacity to inhibit expression of the HIV-1 gene by interacting with both cellular proteins and viral proteins," he said.
"Since HIV-1 gene expression relies heavily on these factors, p27SJ can block replication by interfering with the proteins recruited by HIV-1 to increase viral gene expression."
Researchers warned that they did not know if the protein they discovered was present in the St John's wort sold as a dietary supplement.
Gene Therapy, October 27, 2005


Comments

Add