HIV Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about HIV, including details on human immunodeficiency virus, testing, treatment, prevention, vaccines, aids.

Biological characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C protease carrying indinavir drug-resistance mutations.

Gonzalez LM, Aguiar RS, Afonso A, Brindeiro PA, Arruda MB, Soares MA, Brindeiro RM, Tanuri A

Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Brazil.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C isolates belong to one of the most prevalent strains circulating worldwide and are responsible for the majority of new infections in the sub-Saharan region and other highly populated areas of the globe. In this work, the impact of drug-resistance mutations in the protease gene of subtype C viruses was analysed and compared with that of subtype B counterparts. A series of recombinant subtype C and B viruses was constructed carrying indinavir (IDV)-resistance mutations (M46V, I54V, V82A and L90M) and their susceptibility to six FDA-approved protease inhibitor compounds (amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir and nelfinavir) was determined. A different impact of these mutations was found when nelfinavir and lopinavir were tested. The IDV drug-resistance mutations in the subtype C protease backbone were retained for a long period in culture without selective pressure when compared with those in subtype B counterparts in washout experiments.

Published 10 April 2006 in J Gen Virol, 87: 1303-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 HIV Research Today. All Rights Reserved.