Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access
ISSN: 1948-5964
ISSN: 1948-5964
Muhammad Mukhtar
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: JAA
Inhibition of virion infectivity factor (Vif) defective Human Immunodefi ciency Virus type 1 (HIV-1�?�?Vif) replication with the human apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) opened a new era of potential innate antiviral therapeutics. Among the seven members of APOBEC3 family, six have shown antiviral potentials either involving Vif sensitivity or independently. Th e human APOBEC3G besides its binding with viral protein Vif also possess highest antiviral eff ect. We retrieved proteins showing >80% homology with the human APOBEC3G from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and evaluated their unique sequential features using contemporary bioinformatics approaches. Our analyses identifi ed a total of seven mammalian APOBEC3G proteins showing homology with human APOBEC3G when a cutoff value of >80% homology was selected. Human APOBEC3G showed three unique amino acids Phenyalanine (F), Methionine (M) and Th reonine (T) at position 204, 227 and 311 respectively. Th e BLAST search involving 5 peripheral amino acids on each side of these unique amino acids did not identify any other protein short stretch showing amino acid pattern like human APOBEC3G. Homology analysis of these three unique amino acids of human APOBEC3G with other APOBECs revealed that Methionine at position 227 and peripheral short stretch of amino acid is quite unique in human APOBEC3G. Th e human APOBEC3G is considered a potent innate defense against HIV-1 in humans. Unique molecular signatures identifi ed in this important protein will assist us in understanding innate mechanisms of HIV-1 control.
Muhammad Mukhtar, received his Ph.D. in biosciences from the Drexel University and served at various positions at the Thomas Jefferson University of Philadelphia. Currently, he is serving as Vice Chancellor of one of highly progressive universities in Pakistan. In recent past, Dr. Mukhtar?s laboratory has studied the mechanisms of human immunodefi ciency virus type I entry into the brain, a sanctuary site for the virus during highly active antiretroviral therapy, and also explored the role of cholesterol-depleting drugs (Statins) in HIV-1-related neuronal injury. As Principal or Co-Investigator he has received several awards from the US National Institutes of Health, Pfi zer Inc. and Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The author of several book chapters and dozens of peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Mukhtar holds specialized certifi cates in Research Management and Public Health. Committed to the role of technology in biomedical research, he serves on the editorial boards of several national and international biomedical journals.