Dissecting HIV-1 through RNA interference

Abstract

In cells of organisms, ranging from nematodes to primates, there is a process known as RNA interference (RNAi) that effects the degradation of RNA in a highly sequence-specific manner. Scientists have figured out a way to co-opt elements of the RNAi machinery such that almost any RNA can be targeted for degradation. It is now clear that HIV-1 is fair game for RNAi; viral RNA intermediates have been targeted as well as messenger RNAs for cellular co-factors that are required for replication of HIV-1. The hope is that RNAi can be used not only as a research tool, but also as a therapeutic strategy for infection with HIV-1.