Recruitment of HIV-1 envelope occurs subsequent to lipid mixing: a fluorescence microscopic evidence
2009
HIV-1 Envelope Recruitment and Lipid Mixing
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Chien Miao-Ping, Lin Chi-Hui, Chang Ding-Kwo
Primary Institution: Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
Hypothesis
The study investigates the temporal sequence of lipid mixing and HIV-1 envelope recruitment during cell fusion.
Conclusion
Lipid mixing occurs before HIV-1 envelope recruitment, and the gp41 ectodomain inhibits Env recruitment without affecting lipid mixing.
Supporting Evidence
- Lipid mixing was observed at about 13 minutes after cell contact.
- Env recruitment was inhibited when gp41e was added before 13 minutes.
- The study used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to analyze Env mobility.
Takeaway
When HIV tries to enter a cell, it first mixes its fats with the cell's fats before it pulls itself inside, and a special protein can stop it from pulling itself in.
Methodology
Fluorescence microscopy and competitive inhibition assays were used to study the dynamics of lipid mixing and Env recruitment.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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