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Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus is susceptible to AZT

Ryuta Sakuma1, Toshie Sakuma, Seiga Ohmine

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55906, USA.

Virology
|December 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) is a human retrovirus. Only AZT (azidothymidine) effectively blocked XMRV infection by inhibiting reverse transcription, suggesting its potential use in treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) is a human retrovirus linked to prostate cancer.
  • Prostate cancer patients with XMRV often exhibit impaired RNase L activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of 10 licensed anti-HIV-1 drugs against XMRV.
  • To identify potential therapeutic agents for XMRV infections.

Main Methods:

  • Testing of protease inhibitors (PI), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTI), and an integrase inhibitor.
  • Assessing inhibition of XMRV production, maturation, and replication.

Main Results:

  • No protease inhibitors showed activity against XMRV.
  • Only AZT (azidothymidine) inhibited XMRV infection and replication by blocking reverse transcription.
  • Similarities in reverse transcriptase motif D sequences between HIV-1 and XMRV may explain AZT sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • AZT is a potential therapeutic agent for XMRV infections.
  • XMRV's etiological role in prostate cancer warrants further investigation.
  • AZT could be valuable in preventing or treating human XMRV infections.

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