title: Inhibition of expression of HTLV-1 structural genes mediated by short hairpin RNA in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human T-lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-1) is associated with the T-cell malignancy known as adult T-cell leukemia/ lymphoma (ATLL) and with a disorder called HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Currently, the treatment of these diseases is based on symptom relief. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been described as an efficient mechanism for development of new therapeutic methods. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibition of HTLV-1 structural proteins using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) expressed by non-viral vectors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reporter plasmids that express enhanced green fluorescent protein-Gag (EGFP-Gag) and EGFP-Env fusion proteins and vectors that express shRNAs corresponding to the HTLV-1 gag and env genes were constructed. shRNA vectors and reporter plasmids were simultaneously transfected into HEK 293 cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and real-time PCR showed that shRNAs were effective in inhibiting the fusion proteins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These shRNAs are effective against the expression of structural genes and may provide an approach to the development of new therapeutic agents.
authors: Fundação Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto, Rua Tenente Catão Roxo, 2501, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14051-140 Brazil.
authors: Rodrigo
authors: R
authors: Haddad
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Kashima
authors: Evandra Strazza
authors: ES
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Patrícia Vianna Bonini
authors: PV
authors: Palma
authors: Marco Antonio
authors: MA
authors: Zago
authors: Dimas Tadeu
authors: DT
authors: Covas
mesh_terms: D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
chemical_list: D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors