title: New findings on transcription regulation across different HIV-1 subtypes.
abstract: Transcriptional activation of gene expression in HIV-1 is controlled by the interaction of sequence-specific transcription factors with the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the provirus. The identification and characterization of cellular proteins involved in the process has provided a basic understanding about both general eukaryotic and HIV-1 proviral transcription regulation. The HIV-1 epidemic is expanding worldwide with an increasing number of distinct viral subtypes as well as intersubtype recombinant viruses. LTR-specific sequence variability among different HIV-1 variants could affect LTR binding to cellular and/or viral factors, influencing the extent of transcription. In vitro assays have demonstrated subtype-specific functional differences between the LTR regions of distinct HIV-1 subtypes. This observation could have consequences on the biology of the different HIV-1 clades and influence HIV-1 disease progression. Finally, the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of transcription regulation events could help in the search for new compounds targeting the critical steps of viral transcription.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ramírez de Arellano
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soriano
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alcamil
authors.forename: Africa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holguín
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D016322:HIV Enhancer / Q000502:physiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D020079:Terminal Repeat Sequences / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents