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Therapeutic targeting of HIV reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H function

HIV virus 
15.02.2011
Venue
Sardegna Ricerche
Science and Technology Park of Sardinia
Auditorium "Giuseppe Pilia", Building 2
Località Piscinamanna
09010 Pula (CA) - Italy

Speaker
Stuart Le Grice - National Cancer Institute, USA

Description
On 15 February 2011 at 11:00, a seminar entitled "Therapeutic targeting of HIV reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H function", organised by Sardegna Ricerche and promoted by the Enterprise Europe Network, will be held at the Technology Park in Pula.

The ribonuclease H (RNase H) function of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) is essential for virus infectivity, and thus provides another opportunity for therapeutic intervention. The contribution of RNase H activity at different stages in proviral DNA synthesis will be summarized, together with single molecule spectroscopy studies that illustrate how the nature of the substrate (a DNA/RNA hybrid) can affect enzyme orientation.

In addition, a National Cancer Institute high throughput screening program has identified two structurally- and mechanistically-distinct classes of HIV RNase H inhibitor. Firstly natural product alpha -hydroxytropolones inhibit catalysis by coordinating divalent metal at the RNase H active site. In contrast, vinylogous ureas, identified from a library of chemical entities, binds in the vicinity of the RNase H active site, functioning as an allosteric inhibitor. The biochemistry, structural biology and in vivo potency of these inhibitor classes, in addition to their impact on enzyme dynamics, will be reviewed.

The seminar is part of the series "Scientific Seminars in Biomedicine" totalling nine events scheduled from February to October 2011.

The official language of the seminar is English.
During the event Franco Lori, CEO of ViroStatics, a company located in the Technology Park of Sardinia, will present their research activities concerning "Dual inhibitors of HIV replication and immune hyperactivation".

Contacts
Patricia Rodriguez Tomè
Indirizzo emailprtome@crs4.it
CRS4
Science and Technology Park of Sardinia, Building 1
Località Piscinamanna – 09010 Pula (CA) - Italy
Phone +39 070 9250.387

Marcella Dalla Cia
Indirizzo emaildallacia@sardegnaricerche.it
CINEMA - EEN Branch
Exploitation of Research Results Unit
Sardegna Ricerche, Building 2
Località Piscinamanna - 09010 Pula (CA) - Italy
Phone +39 070 9243.2253 Fax +39 070 9243.2203

Related documents
Seminar poster [file.pdf]
Series schedule - "Scientific Seminars in Biomedicine" (IT) [file.pdf]

Related pages
How to reach the main campus of Sardegna Ricerche