Molecular Biology: Open Access

REV Responsive Element Polymorphism from Gp41 of Human Immunodeficience Virus Type 1 and Antiretroviral Susceptibility Impact in Patients from Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Melissa Medeiros, Erico Arruda, Christopher Brown, Jamily Maciel, Marie-Louise Hammarskjold, David Rekosh and Aldo Lima

Introduction: Rev Responsive Element (RRE) is a RNA molecule responsible to mRNA from HIV-1 virus nuclear transportation to cytoplasm through RRE-Rev pathway, essencial to virus replication. Enfuvirtide resistance mutations are primary located in a perimeter of 10 amino acids of HR1, a corresponded region of RRE. Charactherize RRE should provide a new approach for HIV therapy.

Objectives: Sequence and characterize RRE from gp41 to evaluate variability and correlate with laboratory parameters in sequences from HIV-1-infected patients, whitch were receiving regimens including Enfuvirtide, naïve or rescue therapy.

Methods: Sixty-two samples from HIV patients in Northeast Brazil were collected and Thirty-five RRE sequences and clinical follow-up were analyzed, distributed into three groups: N (naïve therapy), T (treated patients with rescue regimens) and F (rescue regimens containing Enfuvirtide). Sequences obtained were aligned with Los Alamos HIV sequence database by using the HIV BLAST Search.

Results: A phylogenetic analyses demonstrated higher prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes B (97.2%). An increased immunology response was observed in CD4 count higher on group T (71,5%) compared with F (2,98%). Group N most commum mutations and polymorphisms were Q32L (41.6%), N42S (8.3%), R46K (33.3%), L54M (41.6%); group T: Q32R (8.3%), R46K (25%), L54M (33.3%); and group F: Q32L (18.2%), G36D (9.1%), V38A (9.1%), N42S (27.3%), N42T (9.1%), R46K (27.3%), L54M (45.4%), K77R (54.5%). Three samples demonstrated significant resistance mutations to fusion inhibitors. Analysis of RRE nucleotide primary sites observed mutation 28A in 27.2% and 8.3% on groups F and N respectively, and 27S in 8.3% on group T. There was selective pressure on HR1 region from HIV-1 patients using antiretrovirals, independent of enfuvirtide exposure.

Conclusions: This study defined most prevalent RRE polymorphisms in Northeast Brazil and suggests highly preserved regions primary sites to Rev connection. Observed a low resistance profile to enfuvirtide in failing regimens with this drug. Selective pressure on HR1 region in failed regimens with out fusion inhibidors was detected.

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