Authors: R. Brad Jones, Keith E. Garrison, Jessica C. Wong, Erick H. Duan, Douglas F. Nixon, Mario A. Ostrowski
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001547
Abstract Summary
Researchers found that nucleoside analogue HIV drugs (nRTIs) can block LINE-1 retrotransposons—mobile DNA elements linked to genetic diseases and cancer. While this discovery offers new tools to study LINE-1’s role in normal physiology, it also raises safety concerns: these widely-used antiretroviral medications might inadvertently disrupt beneficial biological processes involving LINE-1 activity.
Why Brain? đź§
Nucleoside analogue HIV drugs can block LINE-1 retrotransposons, mobile DNA elements linked to genetic disease and cancer, offering new research tools but raising safety concerns about disrupting normal cellular processes.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
