anyone here work in genetics or Molecular Bio? CCR5 muto question

[milo hobgoblin]

Its been years since Ive done any research but I have a question regarding CCR5 mutations and gene therapy. (for those who dont know CCR5 homogenous mutations confer complete resistance to HIV ~10-14% of Northern European stock have this.. only 1% of Americans appear to be homogenous) and yes being heterogenous does confer "some" resistance and significantly extend the lifespan.... (I have a feeling.. people who completely "clear" the viral load are heterougenous, although no one is sure they are actually clear)

When I did research (mosty on red seaweed of all things) we could be somewhat aware using a viral vector (e.coli if I remember correctly) as to where that gene landed. I can only imagine that in the last ten years specificity has gotten better through enzyme manipulation.

And as far as wiping out the old CCR5 mutation.. isnt it possible using another viral vector to disable or destroy the existing CCR5 mutation??

again its been a long time and I know work in computer science so if Im just way off base please explain..

thanks.

 

[nybb10001]

The reason the CCR5 mutation provides resistance against HIV is that HIV requires that it bind to the outside of cell with at least two receptors. A CCR5 mutation inherited from BOTH parents changes the shape of the human cell itself which prevents HIV from locking hold with two receptors. If it can't lock two receptors to the outside of the cell, then the virion does not have enough of a lock on the cell to puncture the cell and begin inserting the viral RNA into the cell (which is translated into DNA and then integrated directly into the human DNA).

The mutation must be inherited from BOTH parents in order to have complete resistance to HIV. Inheriting the CCR5 mutation from only one parent MAY provide some resistance but not total resistance.

If HIV ever mutates so much that it's physical shape changes and is able to overcome the CCR5 mutation (i.e., twisted shape of the T-cells), then the CCR5 mutation would no longer protect an individual from HIV.