GENOMIC RECOMBINATION BETWEEN HIV-1 AND VZV VACCINE STRAIN WITH VIROPLASMID LIKE ACTIVITY IN HIV - A THOUGHT

Dr. Rudramuneswara Swamy B.P.

Volume : IX, Issue : XII, December - 2019

GENOMIC RECOMBINATION BETWEEN HIV-1 AND VZV VACCINE STRAIN WITH VIROPLASMID LIKE ACTIVITY IN HIV - A THOUGHT

Dr. Rudramuneswara Swamy B. P.

Abstract :

The integration of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–1 (HIV–1) DNA into the host DNA is a critical step in the HIV life cycle. Hence, structural, pharmacological and biochemical study of retroviral DNA integration has been the cornerstone of intensive research in the past three decades. In this context, the hypothesis purpose is to explore the possibility of recombination between HIV–1 and Varicella–zoaster vaccine (VZV) viruses and the impact of genetic recombination on viral integration and other stages of HIV life cycle. I make use of the principles of HIV integrase (IN) enzyme action on the HIV–1 DNA ends during 3’ processing operation (Fig. 1). During replication of HIV–1 in the cytoplasm, IN produces cleavage of the dinucleotide “GT” at each DNA 3’end and generates dinucleotide “CA” 5’ overhang at both ends. Varicella vaccine DNA when subject to restriction enzyme digestion that produces double stranded DNA with “GT” dinucleotide 5’ overhangs at both the ends. The digested DNA and ligase enzyme is transfected to HIV negative peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and coculture with HIV–1 positive PBMC. Because of complementarity phenomenon, annealing occurs between DNA of HIV 3’hydroxyl ends with DNA of VZV 5’ phosphate ends. The hypothetical recombinant HIV particles may provide a significant insight for the development of novel classes of genetic mechanisms such as cells and gene therapy, anti–HIV drugs or vaccines that work synergistically or at least augments with the existing pharmacotherapy.