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Updated: Sep 16, 2025
07:18
High Throughput In Vitro Assessment of Latency Reversing Agents on HIV Transcription and Splicing
Published on: January 22, 2019
5.9K
HIV-1 Tat: Molecular Switch in Viral Persistence and Emerging Technologies for Functional Cure
Kaixin Yu1, Hanxin Liu1, Ting Pan1
1Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 12, 2025
Summary
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 Tat protein controls viral latency and replication. Reprogramming Tat
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- HIV-1 Tat protein is a key regulator of viral transcription.
- Tat controls the switch between viral latency and active replication.
- Tat's dual role in silencing and activation presents a challenge for HIV-1 cure strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze the bistable regulatory mechanism of HIV-1 Tat.
- To investigate advanced technologies for reprogramming Tat to eliminate viral reservoirs.
- To propose a roadmap for HIV-1 functional cure by targeting the Tat switch.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HIV-1 Tat function and regulation.
- Analysis of next-generation interventions including AI-optimized small molecules and CRISPR-dCas9/Tat systems.
- Integration of systems-level Tat interactomics, epigenetic engineering, and advanced delivery platforms.
Main Results:
- Tat exhibits context-dependent variability, stabilizing latency or triggering rapid replication.
- Conventional Tat-targeting approaches face limitations due to viral evolution and bioavailability.
- Next-generation tools offer precision-engineered strategies for LTR silencing or reactivation.
Conclusions:
- Hijacking the Tat switch through integrated approaches can disrupt HIV-1 persistence.
- Precision-engineered tools and targeted delivery platforms are crucial for eliminating viral reservoirs.
- This review bridges mechanistic insights with clinical applications for HIV-1 functional cure.
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