Question

7. (10pts) A. What is one protein that is imported into the nucleus during the life cycle of HIV? B. How could you design a drug that targets the nuclear import process that could protect against HIV infection? Please include both the protein(s) that the drug targets, and the effect of the drug on the protein(s).

Answer 1

A) Nuclear import is a very important step in the life cycle of HIV- 1.It has two stages.One is early stage that is alpso known as pre- integration stage and another one is later stage that is also known as post- integration stage.During this first stages of infection, HIV-1 has to transport its pre- integration complex into the nucleus for integration into the host cell chromatin, while at the later ( post- integration ) stages viral regulatory proteins Tat and Rev need to get into the nucleus to stimulate transcription and regulate splicing and nuclear export of subgenomic and genomic RNAs. Given such important role of nuclear import in HIV-1 life cycle.This step presents an attractive target for anti- viral therapeutic intervention.

B) There are few ways to treat HIV. They are through drugs which try to slow down the replecation process. At first we need to know how the virus works.The virus gets into the human cells and tricks the cells into replicating the virus during the white blood cell replication process.This process has many parts to it and different medications are meant to stop or slow the process at various points in the replication process. Unfortunately this medications often come with the side effects which is almost unbearable. So the doctor prescribes additional medication to combat the levels of discomfort.Treatment with HIV medicines is called antiretroviral therapy ( ART). Art cant cure HIV but HIV medicines help people to live longer and healthier lives.

As example NRTIs block reverse transcriptse, an enzyme HIV needs to make copies of itself.

CCR5 antagonists block CCR5 coreceptors on the surface of certain immune cells that HIV needs to enter the cells.

C) There are severe side effects of HIV drugs.

1) Long lasting Nausea, Vomiting, and Abdominal pain.

2) Unusual fatigue.

3) Breathing problem.

4) Enlarged or tender liver.

5) Abnormal heartbeat.

6) Weight loss.

7) Depression.

8) increase levels of blood sugar.