The HIV-1 tat gene encodes a small 86–104 amino acid protein depending on the HIV-1 strain. Tat is essential for HIV-1 replication through interactions with numerous cellular transcription factors. The interaction between Tat and P-TEFb, which is a cellular protein complex composed of cyclin T1 and CDK9, delivers P-TEFb to the newly transcribed viral mRNAs where phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II by CDK9 leads to highly efficient mRNA transcription. It has long been recognized that Tat is a potential anti-HIV-1 target and possibly a viral Achilles' heel. However, specifically targeting Tat without affecting normal host cell functions has been challenging. Means to inactivate Tat have been reported that includes small compounds, transdominant negative Tat proteins, and by plant-derived antivirals. Investigations of these agents have reported encouraging outcomes that inform and may hopefully affect strategies for a functional HIV-1 cure.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
March 2018
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) surrounding a cell nucleus. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Stupka et al. discuss the role of ER selenoproteins in the regulation of cellular stress responses. For further information, see pages 1037–1057.
Commentary|
March 20 2018
RNA glycosidase and other agents target Tat to inhibit HIV-1 transcription
David Harrich;
1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Locked Bag 2000, 4029 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Correspondence: David Harrich (david.harrich@qimrberghofer.edu.au)
Search for other works by this author on:
Hongping Jin
Hongping Jin
1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Locked Bag 2000, 4029 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
December 07 2017
Revision Received:
February 08 2018
Accepted:
February 12 2018
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2018
Biochem J (2018) 475 (6): 1059–1062.
Article history
Received:
December 07 2017
Revision Received:
February 08 2018
Accepted:
February 12 2018
Connected Content
This is a commentary on:
Expression of an RNA glycosidase inhibits HIV-1 transactivation of transcription
Citation
David Harrich, Hongping Jin; RNA glycosidase and other agents target Tat to inhibit HIV-1 transcription. Biochem J 30 March 2018; 475 (6): 1059–1062. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20170669
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
161
Views