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Human APOBEC3 Variations and Viral Infection

Shiva Sadeghpour1, Saeideh Khodaee2, Mostafa Rahnama3

  • 1Department of Biological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.

Viruses
|August 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Human APOBEC3 enzymes are key innate immune components that fight viruses through various mechanisms. Natural variations in these enzymes influence antiviral immunity and infectious disease outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Human apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) enzymes are crucial for innate immunity.
  • These enzymes inhibit diverse viruses via deaminase-dependent and -independent pathways.
  • Evidence includes primate-specific expansion, viral counter-defenses (e.g., HIV Vif), and HIV-1 proviral inactivation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on natural variations within human APOBEC3 enzymes.
  • To explore the impact of these genetic variations on antiviral immunity.
  • To understand the role of APOBEC3 variants in infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on human APOBEC3 genetic variations.
  • Analysis of identified single nucleotide polymorphisms, haplotypes, and splice variants.
  • Examination of reported associations between APOBEC3 variants and antiviral responses.

Main Results:

  • Numerous APOBEC3 genetic variants exist in the human population.
  • Several variants are linked to differential efficacy in antiviral immunity.
  • These variations contribute to the complex interplay between host and virus.

Conclusions:

  • Natural variations in human APOBEC3 enzymes significantly modulate antiviral immunity.
  • Understanding these variants is critical for comprehending infectious disease dynamics.
  • Further research into APOBEC3 polymorphisms can inform therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
APOBEC3HBVHIVPolymorphismSplice variants

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