Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
11:14
Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
8.2K
HIV infection en route to endogenization: two cases
P Colson1, I Ravaux, C Tamalet
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Fondation Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) MéiterranéInfection, Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France.
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may naturally integrate into the human genome, potentially leading to a functional cure. This process, known as endogenization, offers a new perspective beyond viral eradication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Human Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- The long-term evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its integration into the human genome is not fully understood.
- Many vertebrates harbor endogenous retroviruses, prompting investigation into possible HIV endogenization.
Observation:
- Two HIV-infected patients with no detectable viremia or disease were studied.
- HIV DNA integrated into the host genome was sequenced using Sanger and deep sequencing.
- Viral sequences showed high rates of inactivating mutations, specifically tryptophan codon to stop codon transformations.
Findings:
- Integrated HIV DNA in both patients was largely inactivated due to widespread stop codon mutations.
- Strong immune responses were observed in one patient, suggesting a past productive infection.
- The APOBEC enzyme, which targets viral RNA, may have been activated early and effectively, aided by the lack of Vif inhibition.
Implications:
- HIV endogenization, similar to other endogenous retroviruses, is proposed as a potential natural cure for HIV.
- This contrasts with the goal of complete viral eradication, suggesting a paradigm shift in HIV cure strategies.
Keywords:
APOBECDNA integrationVifcureendogenizationendogenous retrovirushuman immunodeficiency virusstop codontryptophanMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
1.2K
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
1.2K
02:33Retroviruses
11.8K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
11.8K
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
42.7K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
42.7K
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
1.8K
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
1.8K
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
1.4K
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
1.4K
00:36Viral Mutations
32.6K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
32.6K