Enzyme peptide in semen accelerates aids infection

Written by Dr. H. P. Bustami

Thursday, 27 December 2007

AIDs-virus leaving a host cell (Courtesy: NIH)
Scientists from the german universities of Ulm and Hannover now discovered a peptide (an enzyme derivate) that accelerates the process of cell infection by the Aids virus. In the recent "Cell"- Volume the physicians Dr. Wolfgang Forsmann and his collegue Dr. Frank Kirchhoff showed this important results of their research groups.

The peptide derived from an enzyme (called prostatic acidic phosphatase - pap) forms a special protein structure which "catches" AIDs-viruses and transport them to the surface of target cells (which is in case of AIDS cells of the immune system). The infection rate is accelerated by up to 100.000-fold.

This finding may explain why most infections occur during sexual incourse and could help develop new methods of prevention.

Of course until this new drug is discovered, tested and approved the best way to protect yourself is safer sex using condomes.

Source: Münch et al.: Semen-Derived Amyloid Fibrils Drastically Enhance HIV Infection; Cell, Vol 131, 1059-1071, 14 December 2007.

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