Scientists say they may be close to identifying how a protein kills HIV in monkeys

A study, reported in the journal Virology and funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, has discovered the key components of a protein that has the capacity to destroy HIV in rhesus monkeys.

The protein, known as TRIM5a, protects the monkeys from HIV, something that scientists discovered in 2004. However, the same protein in humans does not have a similar effect because some of its amino acids have changed their molecular structure..

However, researchers from Loyola University Health System have recently identified six amino acids that are critical to the protein's ability to block viral infection. They said they hope to soon be able to zero in on an amino acid, or a combination thereof, that enable TRIM5a to destroy HIV.

If that happens, they may be able to genetically engineer the protein to make it work in the desirable way in humans.

As this important work continues, U.S. public health officials are urging Americans to avoid HIV transmission my practicing safe sex and undergoing frequent STD screenings.