The role of long noncoding (lncRNA) in HIV gene transcription and viral latency

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cell reservoir harbors a transcriptionally silent yet replication-competent provirus, and is a main obstacle towards eradication of the virus. Still, despite the urgency in developing effective approaches to eliminate this reservoir, successful treatments remain out of reach and the molecular events that lead to HIV persistence are not fully understood. Our lab is actively engaged in understanding the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in modulating HIV gene expression and viral latency. While great progress has been made in elucidating the role of the host protein-coding genome and of epigenetic modifications in regulating HIV transcription and viral latency, knowledge of the regulatory functions of the non-coding transcriptome, and in particular lncRNAs, in modulating HIV infection lags behind. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify lncRNAs that play role in HIV infection, unveiling the molecular mechanisms that allow them to control viral gene transcription and latency. To fulfill our goal, we analyzed the transcriptome landscape characteristic to the transition of HIV from activated to latent infection. I will discuss ongoing work that defines top lncRNA hits that were identified and highlight a role for one such lincRNA as a regulator of HIV transcription and latency. This work opens new insights on the role of lncRNAs and their binding partners in controlling HIV infection, and sets ground for the development of therapeutic benefits to eradicate the infected reservoir.

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