Scientists make key HIV discovery
Print Edition
Chinese researchers said they have made a significant breakthrough in the structural analysis of the viral infectivity factor of the HIV virus, which will help in the development of new medications to treat or possibly cure the disease.
Science journal Nature published the research on its website on Wednesday. It was carried out by a team of Chinese researchers led by Huang Zhiwei, professor of structural molecular biology with the School of Life Science and Technology at Harbin Institute of Technology. The research reveals the structural analysis of HIV-1 protein Vif, which subverts antiviral activity.
The results lay a foundation for the design of novel anti-HIV drugs, the paper said. The Chinese team launched the research program in March 2012.
Ever since the AIDS virus was discovered in 1981, scientists have had insufficient knowledge of the virus, including the structure of Vif, which is extremely important to virus infection and replication, Huang said.
Analyzing the Vif structure is vital to the design of AIDS medicines, Huang added.
The study of the Vif structure has been the most important subject for scientists worldwide on AIDS in recent years.
This study proves China is at the forefront of structural molecular biology research on AIDS, according to Huang.
The research team has begun cooperating with drug producers to develop new types of medicines for AIDS treatment, Huang said.
“After we succeed in developing medicines, it will create a new path in AIDS treatment worldwide, maybe even curing it,” Huang said, adding it will also pave the way for Chinese-made drugs to fight HIV/AIDS. China has about 434,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. The number reached about 35 million worldwide at the end of 2012.
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