HIV to AIDS

How the disease progresses

Learning Outcomes
Discuss how the evolutionary race between
pathogens and their hosts has resulted in
sophisticated evasion mechanisms in Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Transcription vs Translation
Transcription = synthesis of mRNA from a DNA template
Translation = Ribosomes use mRNA to synthesise new
proteins
Sort cards into correct order to remind yourself of protein
synthesis

Protein Synthesis (again!)

mRNA attaches to ribosomal subunit

tRNA attaches to mRNA by complementary anticodon
RNA polymerase break hydrogen bonds & unzips DNA helix
tRNA carries amino acids to ribosome
mRNA moves from nucleus to ribosomes
RNA nucleotides pair up with complementary DNA bases &
form mRNA
Peptide bond forms between amino acids

Protein Synthesis
(again!)

Translation

mRNA attaches to ribosomal

subunit
Transcription
tRNA carries amino acids to
ribosome
RNA polymerase break
hydrogen bonds & unzips DNA tRNA attaches to mRNA by
helix
complementary anticodon
RNA nucleotides pair up with
Peptide bond forms between
complementary DNA bases &
amino acids
form mRNA

mRNA moves from nucleus to

ribosomes

HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

You have 2 minutes....

How is HIV transmitted?

Infection of T helper cells

Lymphocyte white blood cells that defend against
disease
T stands for Thymus, the T cells are produced in
bone marrow but mature in thymus
Helper cells stimulate B cells to divide, are capable of
producing antibodies and enhance phagocytosis
Macrohpages can also be infected

How HIV works

HIV affects the immune system by invading T helper cells
The cell surface membrane of
the virus contains a glycoprotein
called gp120 which binds to
CD4 receptors on the surface of
the host T cell
The viral protein coat then fuses
with the host membrane & viral
RNA enters that host cell

HIV then hijacks the cells DNA

transcription process & use it
to replicate viral RNA

Reverse Transcription
The Virus uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to copy viral RNA into
viral DNA
Integrase then inserts viral DNA into host DNA which enters the host nucleus
In the nucleus viral DNA produces viral mRNA

Viral RNA is produced by

the viral DNA

mRNA triggers the translation of viral

proteins in the ribosomes on the RER
These proteins are transported via the
Golgi to the cell membrane, where they
are incorporated into the host membrane

The viral RNA & envelope proteins come together and

bud off from the cell membrane to form a new virus

How does this kill the T cell?

Once these new viruses have been made
they bud off from the T helper cell taking some
of the membrane with it
The infected T helper cell still displays some
of the viral proteins and is killed by T killer
cells

New virus budding from T cell

Label your diagram

Some things to remember...

Reverse transcription
Integrase
Protein synthesis Viral envelope
Viral RNAmRNA
Viral DNACD4 receptors
Budding gp120 receptors
Integration
Infection
Reverse transcriptase

Home learning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Name the enzymes involved in production of viral DNA within the

host cell & explain how they work
How is HIV adapted to entering the host cell & taking over protein
synthesis?
Explain the difference between transcription and translation of
proteins
Which organelles are involved in viral replication and what part
do they play?
Why does losing T helper cells cause such a problem for the
hosts immune system?
Define opportunistic infections and explain why these are so
dangerous for AIDS sufferers
Produce a flow chart to show how the disease progresses from
the acute phase to chronic phase to disease phase

BINGO!
Transcription

Disease phase

Degenerative code

Acute phase

Amino acids

Translation

RNA Polymerase

Codon

tRNA

Reverse
Transcriptase

T helper cell

Condensation
reaction

CD4 receptors

Chronic phase

mRNA

Integrase