CAIRO: In the latest string of research to combat the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, better known as AIDS, American researchers have inserted a fluorescent protein known as GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) in cats to monitor the activity of altered genes which scientists say are more resilient to the feline form of AIDS. GFP is a naturally occurring protein in Jellyfish. “We did it to mark cells easily just by looking under the microscope or shining a light on the animal,” said Dr Eric Poeschla, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The antiviral gene originates from a rhesus macaque, and works by producing a type of protein known as a restriction factor, which can resist AIDS-causing viruses affecting other types of animals. Once extracted, the AIDS resisting gene and the GFP gene were then placed in to feline eggs by a team of American and Japanese scientists. The results were very positive, with most cats that were born carrying the genetic marker and modification showing the production of these proteins throughout their bodies. The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) was found to replicate itself less in the cats that carried these modifications. FIV is similar to the HIV in that it works by eradicating the infection fighting T-cells. On both cases, the T-cells fight off infections but are found to be useless against the viruses. Certain monkeys however, have shown to contain differing versions of the restriction factors which are able to combat the viruses. Luminescent genes have been recognised as a “luminous genetic tag” since the 1990's by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Since then the use of the gene has become widespread in genetic research due to the ability to track the changes within the organism without the need for a biopsy or an invasive test. ** Please note that Bikyamasr.com does not in any way condone the use of animals for testing purposes. BM
