[ Your Name ]  would like to inform you about this article on
Complexity Digest 2003.34 - 13.01
http://comdig.unam.mx/index.php?id_issue=2003.34#12455
25-Aug-2003

[ Your Message ]



How AIDS Destroys Immunity, EurekAlert
 









Excerpts: A human gene named ATR normally protects people by preventing the
replication of cells damaged by radiation or toxic chemicals. Now, Utah and New
York researchers have discovered how a gene in the AIDS virus hijacks the human
gene and turns it into a weapon that prevents reproduction of immune-system
white blood cells, leaving AIDS patients vulnerable to deadly infections and
cancer.(...) The ATR gene's normal job is to detect genetic damage to cells
caused by radiation, toxic chemicals and chemotherapy, and to stop the damaged
cells from replicating until they can repair themselves. Planelles and
researchers at the University of Rochester, N.Y., found evidence that the vpr
gene - one of nine genes in the AIDS virus - exploits this normal repair process
to stop vital white blood cells from replicating, thus disabling the immune
system.
Source: How AIDS Destroys Immunity[
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-08/uouh-had082003.php ], EurekAlert,
2003-08-20
Contributed by Nadia Gershenson - nadiacomdig.com

You can discuss this article on Articles Forum
http://comdig.unam.mx/topic.php?id_article=12455