Boston University Libraries OpenBU
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    •   OpenBU
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • Boston University Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   OpenBU
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • Boston University Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item

    Mutations in simian immunodeficiency virus protease cleavage sites 2 and12 impair in vitro virus production

    Thumbnail
    Date Issued
    2016
    Author(s)
    Shapoval, Diana
    Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare by Email
    Export Citation
    Download to BibTex
    Download to EndNote/RefMan (RIS)
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Permanent Link
    https://hdl.handle.net/2144/16756
    Abstract
    The global disease burden due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to rise as efforts to prevent or treat the virus are met with more and more challenges. The advent of potent antiretroviral treatment options that appear to reduce viral loads to undetectable levels in infected patients, are thwarted by HIV’s ability to establish latency and a long term persistent virus reservoir. A preventative approach that can establish persistent immunity against HIV-1 is urgently needed. This study seeks to examine the in vitro effect of a candidate vaccine targeted against highly conserved amino acid sequences, known as Protease Cleavage Sites (PCS), in HIV-1. Preliminary testing of the vaccine consisting of 20mer PCS overlapping peptides was conducted in Cynomolgus macaques and revealed that the highest frequency of mutation in two of the twelve sites, were located in the PCS2 and PCS12 regions. Sequencing of these mutants isolated from the peripheral blood of vaccinated monkeys facilitated the creation, by molecular cloning, of a library viral clones harboring the same mutations. These viral clones were then characterized in vitro by determining their replicative abilities as compared to wild type virus. While more work is required to determine the mechanisms by which these mutations impair viral fitness, the results thus far, are informative towards the continued development of this candidate vaccine.
    Collections
    • Boston University Theses & Dissertations [6746]


    Boston University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Help
     

     

    Browse

    All of OpenBUCommunities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    Deposit Materials

    LoginNon-BU Registration

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Boston University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Help