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1: Science. 2007 Jun 29;316(5833):1912-5.Click here to read Links
Comment in:
Science. 2007 Jun 29;316(5833):1855-7.

HIV-1 proviral DNA excision using an evolved recombinase.

Sarkar I, Hauber I, Hauber J, Buchholz F.

Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.

HIV-1 integrates into the host chromosome and persists as a provirus flanked by long terminal repeats (LTRs). To date, treatment regimens primarily target the virus enzymes or virus-cell fusion, but not the integrated provirus. We report here the substrate-linked protein evolution of a tailored recombinase that recognizes an asymmetric sequence within an HIV-1 LTR. This evolved recombinase efficiently excised integrated HIV proviral DNA from the genome of infected cells. Although a long way from use in the clinic, we speculate that this type of technology might be adapted in future antiretroviral therapies, among other possible uses.

PMID: 17600219 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]