This results in a protein with robust activity blocking virus release from infected cells. The coding region of the gene was shortened with a premature stop codon. Some of these extra copies we named retroCHMP3 had features consistent with being antiviral. The surprise was extra copies of CHMP3 in some genomes but not others. We started just by comparing genes like CHMP3 in many primate and rodent genomes. Can you describe how you carried out your latest research into retroCHMP3 as an antiviral? RetroCHMP3 seems to slightly delay some important cellular processes and this appears catastrophic for enveloped viruses like HIV and Ebola that need this process to complete virus replication cycles. It instead copied the gene that encodes CHMP3 and this copy diverged into what we discovered and named retroCHMP3 in modern squirrel monkeys. There is a wild natural history here where an ancient retrotransposon, a “selfish” genetic element, made a mistake while replicating itself in the ancestors of New World monkeys. How did CHMP3 duplicate to ‘retroCHMP3’ and what is the role of retroCHMP3 in virology? Image Credit: O-IAHI/ The charge multivesicular body protein 3 (CHMP3) is a human gene involved in cellular processes.

This solves one challenge and we think evolution might have solved the second challenge of cell toxicity with the trial-and-error of mutation and selection over millions of years.

Here we looked at how hosts might change from a genetic standpoint. Many antivirals target specific virus features or functions and viruses can quickly evolve resistance with simple amino acid substitutions. Why is often difficult to discover and develop new antivirals? New antivirals are constantly being needed for the treatment of various viruses including HIV and Ebola. We were curious if a cellular process exploited by viruses, including HIV, might somehow evolve resistance despite high levels of genetic conservation. What provoked your latest research into antivirals?

Nels Elde about his latest research that led to the discovery of a new gene in monkeys that could help to develop new antivirals.

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