Chinese scientists have identified a new protein that restricts HIV infection, a discovery that could pave the way for the development of new drugs against the virus. The protein, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1), which exists in human cells, can inhibit (抑制) the process by which HIV reproduces, according to research published in the science journal Nature Microbiology this month.
However, the study also showed that PSGL-1 can be negatively affected by Vpu－an accessory (附属) protein of HIV－which can neutralize the ability of PSGL-1 to resist HIV. Further research is under way to develop a drug that can inhibit the HIV protein so that PASGL-1 can restrict HIV, according to Tan Xu, a researcher at Tsinghua University's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, a leading author of the study.
Several other proteins in human cells that could resist HIV have been discovered over the past 10 years, but the virus can also evade (避开) them. PSGL-1 shows particular promise in that it can inhibit the HIV in multiple ways－especially by blocking the infectiousness of virus offspring, Tan said.
“We are starting to research into small molecule (分子) compounds in the hope of finding one that can restore PSGL-1’s anti-HIV function. In this way we can develop a very effective antiviral drug for people with HIV/AIDS,” he said. Tan said it will require at least three to five years for the research to reach the preclinical stage, and more time after that before a clinical trial is possible. The research was conducted by researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Fudan University in Shanghai and George Mason University in the United States.
Existing treatment methods for people with HIV/AIDS, which mostly rely on a combination of different drugs, can prevent the disease from progressing but cannot cure it, and long-term use of drugs can result in drug resistance.
An estimated 37 million people in the world live with HIV, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The study provides new leads to developing antiviral drugs, Tsinghua University said in a statement.
【小题1】What can we learn about PSGL-1 from the passage?| A．Both the protein PSGL-1 and the protein Vpu are HIV proteins. |
| B．PSGL-1 can restrict the function of the protein Vpu. |
| C．PSGL-1’s molecule compounds have been identified. |
| D．The protein PSGL-1 functions better than others in resisting HIV. |
| A．The existing treatment for HIV are far from perfect. |
| B．It will be a decade before the antiviral drugs is put on the market. |
| C．American scientists played a leading role in the research. |
| D．HIV/AIDS will no longer be a deadly disease owing to the new discovery. |
| A．There is a long way to go before curing HIV. |
| B．More people are faced with the threat of HIV. |
| C．Chinese scientists are leading the way in curing HIV. |
| D．A new protein to resist HIV was confirmed by scientists. |
| A．A journal | B．A fiction | C．A magazine | D．A brochure |
