Human protein

A human protein mutates the AIDS virus (HIV) and holds potential for keeping the disease at bay.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a human protein that mutates the AIDS virus (HIV) and holds the potential for keeping the disease at bay.

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The new protein (called APOBEC3F) and (APOBEC3G) can directly mutate HIV. These proteins called retroviral restrictors may contribute to HIV resistance in some people.

Rubin Harris, an assistant professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics, and colleagues at the university report the discovery in a paper to be published online June 24 in the journal Current Biology.

Unfortunately, the AIDS virus has evolved a counter defence. It produces a protein called VIF (viral infectivity factor), which triggers the destruction of the retroviral restrictors, thereby preventing mutations from occurring. What scientists don't know is whether some HIV-resistant people have forms of the retroviral restrictor proteins that can evade VIF and avoid destruction.

But what function the proteins perform in non-HIV-infected people is unknown. It is also unclear whether the defense mounted by the APOBEC proteins when not foiled by VIF would be enough to protect a person from AIDS.