WIRED Staff

Anti-AIDS Enzymes for Everyone

After almost two decades of research puzzling over why some people are naturally resistant to AIDS, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered that some people carry special enzymes that "edit" the AIDS virus and prevent it from progressing. The enzyme, called A3G, exists in some people’s white blood cells and works […]

Enzyme
After almost two decades of research puzzling over why some people are naturally resistant to AIDS, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered that some people carry special enzymes that "edit" the AIDS virus and prevent it from progressing. The enzyme, called A3G, exists in some people's white blood cells and works to alter the genetic code of the HIV virus and interferes with the virus's replication. Unfortunately the AIDS virus is already gaining resistance to A3G and researchers are now working to develop a new class of drugs that strengthens the enzyme and makes it portable to people who don't have natural resistance.

According to a university press release:

"Keeping A3G in action represents a new way to attack HIV," said JosephE. Wedekind, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department ofBiochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Rochester MedicalCenter. Wedekind, along with Harold C. Smith, Ph.D., professor in thesame department, led the study. "This first, rough glimpse of A3G'sphysical structure gives us a map to follow in the search for a newclass of AIDS treatments," Wedekind said.