APOBEC in virus restriction and evolution

APOBEC3 enzymes are part of human innate immune system. They deaminate oytosine to uridine and therefore cause mutations in viral DNA, which can be deadly for viruses. Viruses counteract APOBEC3 by coding defense proteins. For example HIV virus codes Vif protein, which triggers APOBEC3 degradation via ubiquitination pathway. There are other mechanisms exploited by viruses to protect their genomes, some of them are recently discovered. Non-complete neutralization of APOBEC3 proteins can lead to virus evolution and drug escape. Also, mutations of cellular DNA by APOBEC3 proteins is involved in cancerogenesis and drug resistance.

In this special topic we would like to highlight original research and review articles dealing with new ways viruses combat APOBEC proteins, new molecular mechanisms of APOBEC3 interaction with viral proteins and the effects of APOBEC3 on viral gene evolution.

We invite publications dealing with any aspects of APOBEC3 biology especially related to virus restriction and evolution, including but not limited to molecular biology, structural biology and virology.

Keywords: APOBEC in virus restriction and evolution

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