Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a major public health concern. New strategies that target viral entry hold promise for preventing infection or for enhancing the efficacy of existing anti-retroviral therapy. We have targeted the HIV protein gp41, required for initial membrane fusion and viral entry, for computational lead compound development and structural characterization. We have successfully purified an engineered version of this protein (gp41-5) that has an exposed patch that resembles the pre-fusion complex that is presumed to be an important intermediate in fusion. We crystallized this protein and collected a complete data set, however the crystals suffer from an unusual order-disorder pathology. Current work is identifying improved crystallization conditions that will allow determination of the crystal structure of gp41-5 with computationally identified compounds that inhibit viral entry.
Source: Lincoln (University of Nebraska)
Authors: Abi Paudel, Peter Madzelan, William J. Allen, Robert C. Rizzo, Mark A Wilson
Institution: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Language: English
Topic: HIV Research and Treatment
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2395253341