HIV-1 Tat and AIDS-associated cancer: targeting the cellular anti-cancer barrier?
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is accompanied by a significant increase in the incidence of neoplasms. Several causative agents have been proposed for this phenomenon. These include immunodeficiency and oncogenic DNA viruses and the HIV-1 protein Tat. Cancer in general is closely linked to genomic instability and DNA repair mechanisms. The latter maintains genomic stability and serves as a cellular anti-cancer barrier. Defects in DNA repair pathway are associated with carcinogenesis. This review focuses on newly discovered connections of the HIV-1 protein Tat, as well as cellular co-factors of Tat, to double-strand break DNA repair. We propose that the Tat-induced DNA repair deficiencies may play a significant role in the development of AIDS-associated cancer.
Nunnari
Giuseppe
G
University of Catania, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases, Via Palermo 636, Catania, Italy. gnunnari@hotmail.com
Smith
Johanna A
JA
Daniel
René
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; D004260:DNA Repair; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000378:metabolism*
D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus