Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing innate apolipoprotein B editing catalytic protein (APOBEC) driven C>U RNA deamination of RNA in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of atpenin A5 with or without interferon. Specifically, APOBEC3A is a cytidine deaminase enzyme that edits RNA transcripts of hundreds of cellular genes upon stimulation of innate immune cells by low oxygen tension (hypoxia) or antiviral factor interferon. Atpenin A5 induces APOBEC3A-mediated RNA editing in normoxia to levels comparable to those seen in hypoxia. The method can be used to treat viral conditions.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treatment of chronic systemic hypoxia. The method comprises administration of an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex II (MTCII). An example of an MTCII inhibitor is Atpenin 5.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inhibiting cancer cell growth comprising contacting the cancer cell with an agent which inhibits the expression of the gene, or the activity of, apolipoprotein B editing catalytic 3G (APOBEC3G). Also provided are methods for identifying agents which can induce or inhibit C>U deamination in RNA driven by apolipoprotein B editing catalytic proteins. The method comprises contacting APOBEC3G with a suitable RNA substrate and determining the extent of C>U deamination under conditions which induce APOBEC driven C>U deamination.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing innate apolipoprotein B editing catalytic protein (APOBEC) driven C>U RNA deamination of RNA in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of atpenin A5 with or without interferon. Specifically, APOBEC3A is a cytidine deaminase enzyme that edits RNA transcripts of hundreds of cellular genes upon stimulation of innate immune cells by low oxygen tension (hypoxia) or antiviral factor interferon. Atpenin A5 induces APOBEC3A-mediated RNA editing in normoxia to levels comparable to those seen in hypoxia. The method can be used to treat viral conditions.

Abstract: Provided are methods for identifying agents which can induce or inhibit C>U deamination in RNA driven by apolipoprotein B editing catalytic proteins. The method comprises contacting APOBEC3A or APOBEC3G with a suitable RNA substrate and determining the extent of C>U deamination under conditions which induce APOBEC driven C>U deamination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oxygen sensing. The present invention provides methods for correcting (or providing for) oxygen sensing in cells. Preferably, the methods involve supplying the SDHD gene or cybS protein, or any of the other components of the mitochondrial complex II cytochrome b oxygen sensing complex in an amount which restores oxygen sensing to affected cells, and thus facilitates normoxic conditions. More specifically, the present invention relates to mutations in the SDHD gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of mammalian cancer.