Mechanisms of Silencing of Retroviral DNAs in Embryonic Cell Lines

The goal of this project is to expand our understanding of the Moloney murine leukemia virus – prototype of the simple mammalian retroviruses, and a model for the human retroviruses HTLV-1 and HIV­1 – and of the host regulation of viral DNA expression. We are especially focused on characterizing the mechanism of action of specific host factors that we have identified that restrict virus expression in embryonic cell types. The work will reveal new aspects of the host machinery that can induce and maintain the latent status of integrated proviral DNAs and will inform new approaches to treatment of viral leukemias and AIDS.