(Los Angeles, California) In what scientists call a `significant` breakthrough, a link has been discovered between monkeys who resist HIV and a protein in the animals` bodies.
The research, conducted at Harvard University, found that once HIV enters monkey cells, it encounters a protein that stifles its attempts to replicate. That, in turn, prevents the virus from spreading in the animals.

The study was published Thursday in the journal Nature.

The protein, called TRIM5-alpha, was identified in rhesus macaques, but, it`s not clear exactly how the protein acts against HIV, said Joseph Sodroski, who led the study.

When HIV enters a cell and it takes over its ability to make proteins, forcing it to turn out new proteins that make new copies of HIV, which then leave to infect other cells.

The monkey protein blocks this process, apparently by interfering with HIV`s attempts to remove the coating that surrounds its genetic material, researchers said. This coating must be shed before HIV can insert its genetic material into the cell`s own DNA, a key step in replication.

Humans have their own version of TRIM5-alpha, but it`s not as effective as the monkey version in countering HIV. However, researchers may be able to design a drug that makes it work better, Sodroski said.

"We expect that now that we`ve identified this protein factor, it is likely we`ll find ways to manipulate it and increase its potency," Sodroski said, "and we hope to stimulate our own natural resistance to HIV by doing so."

by 365Gay.com News centre Staff, ©365Gay.com® 2004