Critical Role of Viral Protein R in HIV Pathogenesis is Explored in Special Issue of DNA and Cell Biology.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

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LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2004

Viral protein R, an essential component of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) that enhances viral replication and gene expression and contributes to the molecular pathogenesis of AIDS, is the focus of a special issue (Volume 23, Number 4) of DNA and Cell Biology, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). The entire issue is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/dna.

Among its many functions, HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) is involved in interrupting the cell cycle of the host cell and killing the cell by inducing a pathway of cell death called apoptosis. Vpr also plays an important role in the transfer of HIV-1 DNA to the nucleus of the host cell and the activation of viral genes.

This special issue of DNA and Cell Biology includes the presentations of leading HIV researchers delivered at a recent workshop devoted to the role of Vpr in the molecular pathogenesis of AIDS. Following an introduction by Guest Editor Bassel E. Sawaya, Ph.D., from the Center of Neurovirology and Cancer Biology at Temple University, and an historical overview of HIV-1 presented by Dr. Robert Gallo, of the Institute of Human Virology, a series of papers probe the diverse activities of Vpr.

Kino and Pavlakis discuss the interaction of Vpr and p300 and the resulting activation of viral gene transcription. Bukrinsky and Zhao compare the functional similarities of Vpr and heat-shock proteins, and Pomerantz presents data to support the role of Vpr in neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis. Other reports focus on the genetic diversity of HIV-1 Vpr, its anti-inflammatory activity, its effect on cell cycle regulators, and the correlation between Vpr and HIV-1-associated dementia.

"This exciting issue provides fresh information regarding the potential for targeting HIV Vpr as a novel antiretroviral AIDS target," says David Weiner, Ph.D., Senior Editor of the Journal.

DNA and Cell Biology, with Editor Mark I. Greene, Ph.D., John Eckman Professor of Medical Science, and Senior Editor David B. Weiner, Ph.D., Associate Professor, both from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, publishes peer-reviewed papers, short communications, reviews, and laboratory methods dealing with eukaryotic or prokaryotic gene structure, organization, expression, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, virology, and evolution. Reports present studies of genes and their expression at the level of RNA or proteins, and the molecular basis of the immune response using molecular or cell biology approaches. A complete table of contents and free sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com/dna.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Oligonucleotides, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, and Cell Preservation Technology. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsletters is available at www.liebertpub.com.