HIV Flashcards
What would happen to the virus if tat was inhibited?
It would be unable to transcribe structural proteins
What is the function of the LTR’s in viral RNA?
They serve as RNA pol II promoters once the viral nucleic acid is integrated into host DNA
What has been associated with mutated nef?
Patients don’t develop full-blown AIDS
I’m doing these quickly…
Sorry if they suck.
What is targeted by drugs in order to prevent the “absolutely obligatory” step in viral replication?
Reverse transcriptase
What is a provirus?
Virus that has integrated it’s DNA intermediate to the host DNA
*resembles a normal gene
Name a cell (reservoir) in which HIV virus can integrate and “hide out” for decades.
Resting T cells
Enzyme necessary for virus integration
Integrase
What is notable about HIVs requirements for integration into the host DNA?
Cell does not need to be actively dividing (can be a terminally differentiated cell)
Describe the early phase of HIV gene expression (3)
- No transcription of the integrated provirus
- Occurs during long, latency periods
- Expresses low levels of proteins necessary for virus to persist
Describe the late phase of HIV gene expression
- Structural proteins synthesized (high levels)
- tat turns weak promoter into strong promoter (binds TAR)
- rev allows transport of unspliced mRNAs from nucleus (usually have to be spliced to leave nucleus)
Where does HIV assembly occur?
Host plasma mem
What is necessary for HIV budding?
Host cell’s ubiquitin ligases
What enzyme is responsible for “maturation” cleavage of core proteins? What would happen if it was inhibited?
viral protease
inhibition = release of a non-infectious virus
What is generated by the dimerization of gag-pol?
active protease
Family and subfamily of HIV
Retroviridae
Lentivirus