(JP)Herb may lead to AIDS cure

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http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20020804wo72.htm

 

Scientists: Herb may lead to AIDS cure

 

Yomiuri Shimbun

 

A group of researchers at Osaka University has

discovered a substance in the medicinal herb valerian

that can inhibit the production of HIV in humane

immune cells by preventing the gene from leaving an

infected cell's nucleus, it was learned Saturday.

 

The researchers, led by Associate Prof. Nobutoshi

Murakami, said the mechanism is totally different from

those of currently available AIDS treatments, and

could become an extra shaft in the quiver of AIDS

medication.

 

A single HIV particle works by infiltrating the

nucleus of an immune cell, or lymphocyte. It then

splices its own DNA into that of the lymphocyte's,

effectively giving the immune cell new instructions to

reproduce viral proteins that are subsequently used to

replicate a new HIV particle.

 

Viral replication requires one of these viral

proteins, Rev, to dock onto the HIV's RNA. After

docking, the combined molecule leaves the lymphocyte

nucleus and is delivered to other parts of the cell

that act as factories that make proteins that help HIV

survive.

 

The group focused on ways to block the process by

which Rev bonded to the delivery molecule.

 

They experimented with several substances including

natural drugs, and discovered a substance in valerian

root that could interfere with the binding of Rev to

the delivery particle.

 

When they mixed HIV-infected lymphocytes with the

substance in test tubes, Rev and HIV RNA were unable

to leave the cell nuclei, and HIVs became unable to

produce the proteins necessary to survive, dying at

the rate of 81 percent.

 

Current AIDS treatments use two strategies. They

either inhibit HIV genes from entering lymphocyte

nuclei or hamper the production of HIV protein. Such

drugs can only delay the onset of AIDS symptoms, and

cannot completely cure the disease. There is also the

risk of HIV building up a resistance to them, or of

adverse side effects.

 

" Since (the new) mechanism is different from those of

conventional drugs, it will possibly enhance treatment

by complementing existing treatments. It also will

help overcome resistance and ease adverse reactions, "

Murakami said.

 

Copyright 2002 The Yomiuri Shimbun

 

 

 

 

 

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