Human immunodeficiency virus messenger RNA (HIV mRNA) (HIV mRNA)

Human immunodeficiency virus messenger RNA (HIV mRNA) refers to the various RNA species transcribed from the integrated HIV provirus within host cells, including unspliced, singly-spliced, and multiply-spliced transcripts (NIH, 2023). These transcripts are essential for the viral life cycle, as they serve both as templates for the translation of viral structural, enzymatic, and regulatory proteins, and as the genomic material for new virions (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2021). The regulation of these transcripts, particularly their nuclear export mediated by the Rev protein, is a critical checkpoint in viral replication (PubMed, PMC4924471). In clinical settings, the quantification of viral RNA is the gold standard for monitoring infection status and the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (StatPearls, 2023). As a therapeutic target, HIV mRNA is approached using RNA-targeted strategies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are designed to bind to highly conserved regions of the viral genome to induce degradation or block translation (Molecular Therapy, 2020). However, the high mutation rate of HIV-1 poses a significant challenge, as single nucleotide polymorphisms can lead to therapeutic resistance and viral escape (Journal of Virology, 2022). Currently, most RNA-based therapies for HIV remain in the experimental or clinical trial phases.

Other names

HIV-1 mRNAHIV transcriptsViral mRNAHIV-1 RNA transcriptsHIV-1 genomic RNA

Inhibition of viral protein synthesis and genomic replication through sequence-specific binding and degradation of viral mRNA transcripts via RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense mechanisms.