title: Chromatin modifications (acetylation/ deacetylation/ methylation) as new targets for HIV therapy.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most deadly threats to the human race. Though the developed countries have been able to control the epidemic by utilizing the discovery of very expensive diagnostics, the situation is dangerously alarming in developing and underdeveloped countries. However, development of highly active anti- retroviral drugs has improved the survival and quality of life, but prolonged treatment results in viral load rebound to pretherapy levels. Recent advances in our understanding of eukaryotic and genome- integrated viral gene expression showed that regulation of chromatin function is closely linked to the multiplication of HIV. Therefore, a new therapeutic approach has been initiated targeting the chromatin-modifying enzymes mainly histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases which may lead to a better and economical anti- HIV combinatorial therapeutics. In this review, we have discussed the mechanisms of HIV gene expression in the chromatin context and its potentiality to be exploited as new therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore- 560064, India.
authors.forename: Radhika A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Varier
authors.forename: Tapas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kundu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; D006655:Histone Deacetylases