[Genomic instability and AIDS].

The biochemical mechanisms underlying blood lymphoid cell genome destabilization in patients with HIV infection have been analyzed. Lymphocytes from HIV patients are characterized by increasing intensity of free radical oxidation together with activation of the xanthine oxidase D-form conversion into the O-form, enhanced activity of UV-endonuclease, and intensification of prooxidant-induced proteolysis. These changes increasing with the progress of the disease with a maximum at the AIDS stage form a metabolic basis for labilization of the lymph cell genome. The degree of biochemical manifestations of genome instability (levels of chromatin degradation products and intensity of formation of one-filament nicks of DNA) increase in the dynamics of HIV-infection. The data obtained are discussed in terms of the author's conception on the origin of AIDS from retroposons (retrotransposons?). A hypothesis is postulated on accumulation of autonomous genetic information on the basis of genome labilization under the influence of genotoxic factors. Clinico-biochemical data on the appearance of HIV proteins (p17, p24) in the blood of patients (previously negative for all HIV markers) in the presence of transfusions of HIV-negative blood and UV-irradiation of the autoblood are also discussed from this standpoint.