New discovery may help create less toxic anti-HIV drugs.Byline: ANI Washington, Oct 15 (ANI): Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin “University of Texas” redirects here. For other system schools, see University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Austin (often referred to as The University of Texas, UT Austin, UT, or Texas have unravelled the atomic structure of a key human enzyme - a finding that would help create less toxic anti-HIV drugs. "Many anti-HIV drugs are designed to stop the process of DNA replication DNA replication is the process of copying a double-stranded DNA molecule. This process is important in all known life forms and the general mechanisms of DNA replication are not the same in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. ," said Dr. Whitney Yin, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry. "That turns out to be a great thing to do to help cure virus infections, because it stop the processes of viral replication Viral replication is the term used by virologists to describe the propagation of biological viruses during the infection process in the target host cells. When used in the strictest sense, the term refers specifically to the amplification of the viral genome . "At the same time, however, when you target such a critical process in viruses, you may also target human enzymes that perform similar functions in normal cells, and this is what causes harmful drug side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. ," Yin added. During the study, Yin and Young-sam Lee unravelled the atomic structure of an enzyme, known as Pol ? (pol gamma), that is responsible for DNA replication in human mitochondria. When mitochondria are working normally, they produce most of the energy that sustains human cells. When pol gamma comes into contact with certain anti-retroviral drugs, however, it can incorporate the drug into mitochondrial DNA Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the DNA located in organelles called mitochondria. Most other DNA present in eukaryotic organisms is found in the cell nucleus. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA are thought to be of separate evolutionary origin, with the mtDNA being derived from the , and thus interfere with the normal replication process. This interferes with the ability of mitochondria to function. The consequences can range from simple nausea to bone marrow depletion to organ failure. "Patients who are taking this class of anti-HIV drugs have suffered these drug toxicities for a long time. Dosages and combinations of drugs can be chosen so they don't kill you, but they still can't be used at their most effective concentrations against HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. ," said Yin. "However, in large part because combination therapies have become more successful and patients are living longer, toxicity has become more of an issue than before," Yin added. The study is published this week in Cell. (ANI) Copyright 2009 Asian News International The Asian News International (ANI) agency provides multimedia news to China and 50 bureaus in India. It covers virtually all of South Asia since its foundation and presently claims, on its official website, to be the leading South Asia-wide news agency. (ANI) - All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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