# Discovery and Characterization of Capsid-Targeting Lentiviral Restriction Factors

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2022 · $312,584

## Abstract

Project Summary:
As an obligate intracellular parasite HIV, like all viruses, relies on host-encoded factors to
complete its life cycle inside the host cell. However, the virus must also evade recognition by
specialized host factors that have evolved specifically to defend cells against viral invasion.
Some of the antiviral genes are part of an Interferon-induced transcriptional program that is
deployed by the host on sensing of a viral invader. A comprehensive description of host genes
that block primate lentiviruses from successfully infecting human cells has evaded
characterization with current methodologies. In Aim 1 we will describe the mechanism of
inhibition of HIV-1 and related primate Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) variants by
TRIM34, a TRIM5 paralog we have discovered to specifically target HIV-1 capsid variants and
SIVs. In Aim 2 we will explore the role of TRIM34 as a broadly acting antiviral gene in primates
as well as the potential role of TRIM34 in contributing to limiting the evolution of HIV-1 infections
within the host. In Aim 3 we will perform a whole-genome HIV-CRISPR screening approach to
find the Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs) that inhibit HIV-1 capsid mutants. In addition to
defining a novel HIV restriction by TRIM34 in human cells, this work has the potential to
discover novel host antiviral genes that limit SIV and HIV strains from replicating in human cells.
Follow-up studies will be focused on furthering our understanding the mechanism of action of
genes of interest as well as mechanisms of viral antagonism or escape. Ultimately, manipulation
of these factors could be important for approaches aimed at achieving a functional HIV cure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10659552
- **Project number:** 7R01AI147877-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Molly OhAinle
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $312,584
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2019-06-14 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10659552

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10659552, Discovery and Characterization of Capsid-Targeting Lentiviral Restriction Factors (7R01AI147877-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10659552. Licensed CC0.

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