Life Science log

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Scientists in Montreal say they've discovered that a specific protein -- called the viral protein R (Vpr) -- may help them better understand HIV and AIDS."We previously identified that HIV, when infecting target cells, blocks cell division and induces cell death," Dr. Eric A. Cohen, was quoted as saying. "We then discovered that the Vpr protein was involved in this process."The scientists say HIV-1 encodes Vpr, which plays an important role in the development of AIDS. Vpr blocks normal cell division. This process is believed to increase viral replication and trigger immune cell death."We understand the process, but we still don't know which cellular factor is targeted by Vpr to block cell division and where these events are occurring within the infected cell," Dr. Jean-Phillippe Belzile, first author of the article, was quoted as saying. "If we can identify this unknown host factor and determine its role in the cell cycle, it will undoubtedly have an im