Epigenetic signature of N-terminal acetyltransferases: a probable mediator of immune and neuropathogenesis in HIV infection.

HIV is a major global public threat burdening society, yet the exact mechanism of HIV pathogenesis needs to be elucidated. In the era of epigenetic therapy, N-terminal acetylation (Nt-acetylation) changes induced by viral infection might play a critical role in virus-host interactions in HIV infection. The mitochondrial epigenetic mechanism, predominantly Nt acetylation, holds HIV immunopathogenesis and is vastly unexplored. The challenge is to single out the specific pathological role of NAT changes in HIV-associated neurodegeneration. Therefore, this nano review aims to shine light on Nt acetylation in HIV pathogenesis, which we believe can lead to effective future therapeutic strategies against HIV-associated neurodegeneration.