Identification of the LWYIK motif located in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmembrane gp41 protein as a distinct determinant for viral infection.

ABSTRACT: The highly conserved LWYIK motif located immediately proximal to the membrane-spanning domain of the gp41 transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has been proposed as being important for the surface envelope (Env) glycoprotein's association with lipid rafts and gp41-mediated membrane fusion. Here we employed substitution and deletion mutagenesis to understand the role of this motif in the virus life cycle. None of the mutants examined affected the synthesis, precursor processing, CD4 binding, oligomerization, or cell surface expression of the Env, nor did they alter Env incorporation into the virus. All of the mutants, particularly the DeltaYI, DeltaIK, and DeltaLWYIK mutants, in which the indicated residues were deleted, exhibited greatly reduced one-cycle viral repli

SUBMITTER: Chen SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2612407 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature