Simian immunodeficiency virus DNA (SIV DNA)

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) DNA refers to the genetic material of the virus after it has been reverse-transcribed from its RNA form and integrated into the host cell's genome as a provirus (Mancuso et al., 2020 [Nature Communications]). This integrated DNA is the primary molecular component of the latent viral reservoir, which persists in resting CD4+ T cells and other tissues despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (NIH [NIAID]). Because the provirus serves as a permanent template for viral replication, it is the central target for curative strategies aiming to achieve a functional or sterilizing cure for AIDS (Burdo et al., 2020 [Journal of Virology]). Therapeutic interventions targeting SIV DNA primarily involve gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, which are engineered to recognize specific viral sequences and induce double-strand breaks to excise or inactivate the provirus (Excision BioTherapeutics). As SIV is the most robust animal model for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the study and targeting of SIV DNA are essential for the preclinical development of therapies intended to eradicate the HIV reservoir in humans.

Other names

SIV proviral DNASIV provirusSimian immunodeficiency virus provirus

Targeted genomic excision or mutagenesis of integrated viral sequences to prevent viral replication and eliminate the latent reservoir.