HIV-1 fusion inhibitor peptides enfuvirtide and T-1249 interact with erythrocyte and lymphocyte membranes.

ABSTRACT: Enfuvirtide and T-1249 are two HIV-1 fusion inhibitor peptides that bind to gp41 and prevent its fusogenic conformation, inhibiting viral entry into host cells. Previous studies established the relative preferences of these peptides for membrane model systems of defined lipid compositions. We aimed to understand the interaction of these peptides with the membranes of erythrocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The peptide behavior toward cell membranes was followed by di-8-ANEPPS fluorescence, a lipophilic probe sensitive to the changes in membrane dipole potential. We observed a fusion inhibitor concentration-dependent decrease on the membrane dipole potential. Quantitative analysis showed that T-1249 has an approximately eight-fold higher affinity towards cells, when compared wi

SUBMITTER: Matos PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2843717 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature