Tag

Reverse Transcriptase

All articles tagged with #reverse transcriptase

science12 days ago•9 min saved

Bacteria Use Protein as Template to Make DNA Without RNA

Scientists studying E. coli’s defense system DRT3 found that the enzyme DRT3b can synthesize a repeating C-A-C-A DNA strand using amino acids in the enzyme as a template, effectively translating protein sequence into DNA without an RNA template, while DRT3a still makes DNA from RNA. The two strands form a double helix and together act as an antiviral defense, with RecBCD normally destroying such DNA; when RecBCD is disabled by viruses, accumulating DRT3 DNA halts bacterial growth to stop the virus. The finding, supported by cryo-EM structures and mutational tests, suggests this amino-acid–templating mechanism may be more widespread in nature.

via ScienceAlert|

#bacteria #dna #drt3

obituaries9 months ago•3 min saved

David Baltimore, Pioneering Virologist, Dies at 80

David Baltimore, a pioneering virologist whose discovery of reverse transcriptase revolutionized understanding of retroviruses and contributed significantly to cancer and HIV/AIDS research, has passed away at age 87. His work challenged the central dogma of molecular biology and provided essential tools for modern genetic research.

via Nature|

#david-baltimore #hivaids #molecular-biology

health1 year ago•6 min saved

HIV Drugs and Truncated RNAs Show Promise in Preventing Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Research suggests that FDA-approved HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors may reduce Alzheimer's risk by blocking RT activity in neurons, which is linked to genetic elements called LINE1. RT activity was found in aging and Alzheimer's brains, especially in neurons, and could be targeted for potential treatments to slow or prevent disease progression.

via Neuroscience News|

#alzheimers #brain-activity #health

health3 years ago•10 min saved

"Revolutionary HIV Drugs: Turning the Tables on Infection by Clearing Infected Cells"

Scientists from Merck have discovered a subset of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs that not only inhibit HIV's ability to replicate but also cause the virus to kill off infected cells. These drugs, called Targeted Activators of Cell Kill (TACK), work by prematurely synthesizing HIV's protease enzyme, which then snips out cellular proteins that form a self-destruct bomb, destroying the infected cell. The TACK drugs offer a potential cure therapy that specifically targets HIV-infected cells, without relying on host immune responses. The lead candidate, Pyr01, has shown promising results in lab experiments, demonstrating strong antiviral activity and the ability to kill HIV-infected cells. Further research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of TACK drugs in clinical settings.

via aidsmap|

#health #hiv #hiv-reservoir