The significance of nucleocapsid (NC) protein in the progress of the HIV-1 development cannot possibly be underrated. Seeing that the specified protein type may have a chaperone activity despite its seeming simplicity and, therefore, enhance the process of nucleic acid aggregation (Wu et al., 2014), the location of the NC protein properties is crucial for addressing the issue of HIV-1 treatment (Jiao et al., 2015). In his recent article, Hua Wu studies the mutations of the aromatic residue and proves that there is a strong connection between the NC chaperone activity and the phenomenon of retroviral replication.
According to the outcomes of the research, the aforementioned variables are related closely to each other. Particularly, the fact that the HIV-1 NC structure works exactly as a nucleic acid chaperone is proven in the course of research. In other words, the study makes it quite obvious that the introduction of the factors such as F16W and F16W/W37F HIV-1 NC makes the DNA stretching curves take the shape of the curves that can be observed in case of introducing DNA to the WT NC factor (Wu et al., 2013).
According to Wu et al. the research aimed at determining the purpose of the HIV-1 NC’s as far as the progress of HIV-1 is concerned (Wang et al., 2015). Moreover, the functions of the abovementioned elements were to be identified in the course of the study. Seeing that the researchers have already established their point of view, i.e., the fact that the elements in question act as a nucleic acid chaperone, proving the statement in question can be identified as the third objective of the research.
The methodology developed for studying the issue in question is an evident strength of the article. Indeed, the series of experiments in vitro and in vivo, which Wu et al. carried out in order to study the phenomenon, should be credited for their innovativeness. To be more exact, the combination of the nucleic acid substrates and the fluorescence anisotropy assays analyses shows that the research was carried out with an in-depth approach and a close focus on the problem.
Apart from the tools listed above, the researchers also resorted to the methods such as the use of “plasmids, mutagenesis, and recombinant protein” (Wu et al., 2013, p. 265). Additionally, stretching experiments have been carried out so that more information could be retrieved in the course of the research. Additionally, Wu et al. performed a fluorescence anisotropy assays so that the excitations could be calculated properly. Indeed, the specified tool can be viewed as a prime method for retrieving information regarding Dop activity (Hecht and Gur, 2015).
However, the research also has several problems. Specifically, the differences in the extent, to which stretching occurred in the HIV-1 NC need to be brought up (Cruceanu et al., 2006). Despite the fact that the authors point to the given issue and even suggest their way of addressing it, the outcomes of the study still lack precision due to the abovementioned factor.
Despite the issues mentioned above, the study carried out by Wu et al. can be considered rather thorough and significant. It opens new opportunities for addressing the HIV-1 disease. Moreover, the study serves as the basis for further researches on the subject matter, thus, contributing to fighting HIV successfully.
Reference List
Cruceanu, M., Stephen, A., Beuning, P., Gorelick, R., Fisher, R., and Williams, M. (2006). Single DNA molecule stretching measures the activity of chemicals that target the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein. Analytical Biochemistry 358, 159-170. Web.
Hecht, N., and Gur, E. (2015). Development of a fluorescence anisotropy-based assay for Dop, the first enzyme in the pupylation pathway. Analytical Biochemistry 485, 97-101. Web.
Jiao, Y., Liu, C., Luo, L., Zhu, W., Zhang, T., Zhang, L., Su, L., Li, H., and Wu, H. (2015). CD4+CD25+CD127 regulatory cells play multiple roles in maintaining HIV-1 p24 production in patients on long-term treatment: HIV-1 p24-producing cells and suppression of anti-HIV immunity. International Journal Of Infectious Diseases 37, 42-49. Web.
Wang, D., Lu, W., and Li, F. (2015). Pharmacological intervention of HIV-1 maturation. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. Web.
Wu, H., Mitra, M., McCauley, M., Thomas, J., Rouzina, I., Musier-Forsyth, K., Williams, M., and Gorelick, R. (2013). Aromatic residue mutations reveal direct correlation between HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein’s nucleic acid chaperone activity and retroviral replication. Virus Research 171, 263-277. Web.
Wu, H., Wang, W., Naiyer, N., Fichtenbaum, E., Qualley, D., McCauley, M., Gorelick, R., Rouzina, I., Musier-Forsyth, K., and Williams, M. (2014). Single aromatic residue location alters nucleic acid binding and chaperone function of FIV nucleocapsid protein. Virus Research 193, 39-51. Web.