siRNA-directed inhibition of HIV-1 infection.

Novina, Carl D; Murray, Michael F; Dykxhoorn, Derek M; Beresford, Paul J; Riess, Jonathan; Lee, Sang-Kyung; Collman, Ronald G; Lieberman, Judy et al. · Nat Med · 2002

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

RNA interference silences gene expression through short interfering 21 23-mer double-strand RNA segments that guide mRNA degradation in a sequence-specific fashion. Here we report that siRNAs inhibit virus production by targeting the mRNAs for either the HIV-1 cellular receptor CD4, the viral structural Gag protein or green fluorescence protein substituted for the Nef regulatory protein. siRNAs effectively inhibit pre- and/or post-integration infection events in the HIV-1 life cycle. Thus, siRNAs may have potential for therapeutic intervention in HIV-1 and other viral infections.

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