[APOBEC3 hypermutations in HIV-1 infected cases in Turkey]

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Genetics
• Immunology

Background:

• Host genetic factors influence human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pathogenesis.
• APOBEC3 (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide like-3) proteins are endogenous antiviral factors that restrict HIV replication.
• APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F are key members of this family, known to induce hypermutation in viral genomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of APOBEC3G/F-induced hypermutations in HIV-1 strains from Turkey.
• To analyze the specific locations and patterns of these hypermutations within the HIV-1 pol gene.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of HIV-1 pol gene sequences (reverse transcriptase and protease) from 515 HIV-1 infected patients in Turkey (2009-2012).
• Nested RT-PCR and direct sequencing were employed for genetic analysis.
• The HIVdb-Stanford algorithm was used to identify APOBEC3G/F hypermutations.

Main Results:

• Overall APOBEC3G/F hypermutations were detected in 2.5% (13/515) of HIV-1 pol gene sequences.
• Prevalence was 2% in antiretroviral-naive patients and 4.1% in patients on HAART.
• Hypermutations were predominantly located in the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene and associated with APOBEC3G.

Conclusions:

• APOBEC3G/F-mediated hypermutation occurs in HIV-1 strains within the Turkish population.
• The findings highlight the role of APOBEC3G in viral evolution and provide a baseline for future studies on HIV-1 genetic diversity in Turkey.
• Further research into hypermutation motifs and their relationship with HIV-1 subtypes is warranted.