A protein engineered by researchers at KU Leuven combining
proteins active in HIV and Moloney murine leukaemia virus (MLV) replication may
lead to safer, more effective retroviral gene therapy.
Gene therapy involves inserting healthy genetic material
into a diseased cell. Using a carrier derived from a retrovirus, the genetic
material is smuggled into a human cell where, once inside, it integrates itself
into the cell’s DNA. But gene therapy is not without risks. If integrated too
near a carcinogenic gene, the newly introduced genetic material can also induce
disease-causing mutations.