Abstract

In the past, we have identified, described and isolated over 200 bacteria derived Restriction Modification (R-M) nucleic enzymatic peptides as efficient therapeutic molecules for use in the development of novel HIV inhibitory strategies. In the issuing months of our publications, 3 questions have been directed to our work; (1) HIV is an RNA virus, thus restriction peptides are impotent as defense peptides. (2) HIV genome is encapsulated in nuclear capsid and viral envelope, making access impossible. (3) Human genome contains several palindromes recognizable by R-M peptides, making safety delineation critical. This paper serves to provide succinct responses to these issues, and highlight critical strategies being employed in ensuring the development of safe Microbides and therapeutic vaccines based on this approach.

Key words: Restriction modification (R-M) systems, restriction enzymes (REases/RNases), methyltranferases (MTases), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), immune reconstitution, probiotic microbicides.