HIV-1 RT-dependent DNAzyme expression inhibits HIV-1 replication without the emergence of escape viruses

Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan;39(2):589-98. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkq794. Epub 2010 Sep 9.

Abstract

DNAzymes are easier to prepare and less sensitive to chemical and enzymatic degradation than ribozymes; however, a DNA enzyme expression system has not yet been developed. In this study, we exploited the mechanism of HIV-1 reverse transcription (RT) in a DNA enzyme expression system. We constructed HIV-1 RT-dependent lentiviral DNAzyme expression vectors including the HIV-1 primer binding site, the DNA enzyme, and either a native tRNA (Lys-3), tR(M)DtR(L), or one of two truncated tRNAs (Lys-3), tR(M)DΔARMtR(L) or tR(M)D3'-endtR(L). Lentiviral vector-mediated DNAzyme expression showed high levels of inhibition of HIV-1 replication in SupT1 cells. We also demonstrated the usefulness of this approach in a long-term assay, in which we found that the DNAzymes prevented escape from inhibition of HIV. These results suggest that HIV-1 RT-dependent lentiviral vector-derived DNAzymes prevent the emergence of escape mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • DNA, Catalytic / genetics
  • DNA, Catalytic / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Vectors / chemistry
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lentivirus / genetics
  • Mutation
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcription*
  • Virus Replication*
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Catalytic
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA, Viral
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • RNA, Transfer