DNA Polymerases versus HIV Reverse Transcriptase in AIDS Therapy

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1990, Vol.616 (1), p.217-223
• Main Authors: CHENG, YUNG-CHI, GAO, WEN-YI, CHEN, CHIN-HO, VAZQUEZ-PADUA, MIGUEL, STARNES, MILBREY C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - drug therapy; AIDS/HIV; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase - metabolism; HIV - drug effects; HIV - enzymology; HIV - growth & development; Humans; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase - metabolism; Sensitivity and Specificity; Virus Replication - drug effects; Zidovudine - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1990.tb17842.x

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the major health concerns around the world. The key etiological agent being identified is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Attempts to control the replication and propagation of HIV for treatment of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are being pursued by many laboratories worldwide. One logical way to explore selective antiviral agents is to target virus-specific proteins. Such compounds could have a higher therapeutic index, although they could also have a narrower spectrum of activity. One of the most attractive targets for developing anti-HIV agents is HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). Preventing infection of cells by virus from the chronically infected cells for a period covering their life span by using drugs targeting HIV-RT should be able to cure individuals with AIDS, providing drug resistance is not an issue.