Conformation of HIV-1 Envelope Governs Rhesus CD4 Usage and Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication.

ABSTRACT: Infection of rhesus macaques with simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) is the preferred model system for vaccine development because SHIVs encode human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins (Envs)-a key target of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. Since the goal of vaccines is to prevent new infections, SHIVs encoding circulating HIV-1 Env are desired as challenge viruses. Development of such biologically relevant SHIVs has been challenging, as they fail to infect rhesus macaques, mainly because most circulating HIV-1 Envs do not use rhesus CD4 (rhCD4) receptor for viral entry. Most primary HIV-1 Envs exist in a closed conformation and occasionally transit to a downstream, open conformation through an obligate intermediate conformation. Here, we provide genetic

SUBMITTER: Vilmen G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8749432 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature