How a chemical tag on DNA-packaging proteins controls hidden HIV
Histone decrotonylation uniquely regulates HIV latency
Researchers are looking at whether changing a specific chemical tag on the proteins that package DNA can wake up hidden HIV in people living with HIV so viral reservoirs can be targeted.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320801 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have HIV, this research looks at what keeps the virus tucked away in cells by focusing on a chemical mark called crotonylation on histone proteins. The team will use lab models of latent HIV and molecular tools to add or remove crotonylation and observe whether dormant virus becomes active, studying key proteins such as ENL and p300. While most of the work happens in the laboratory, the results could point to new approaches that later move into human trials to clear hidden HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who are on suppressive antiretroviral therapy and are interested in cure-related research or willing to provide blood or tissue samples would be the most relevant participants for follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those expecting immediate clinical treatment benefit should not expect direct personal benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets to wake up and help clear hidden HIV reservoirs, a step toward cure strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior efforts using histone deacetylase inhibitors have not meaningfully reduced HIV reservoirs, so targeting crotonylation is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Guochun — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Guochun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.