Mechanism of anti-HIV activity of negatively charged albumins: biomolecular interaction with the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120
Article Abstract:
Negatively charged proteins called albumins seem capable of binding to parts of the gp120 envelope protein of HIV. The gp120 protein is involved in binding the virus to the CD4 receptor on the surface of T cells. Researchers used a chemical process to attach negatively-charged carboxyl groups to human serum albumin to create negatively charged albumins (NCAs). The NCAs were tested against several artificially synthesized amino acid sequences representing various parts of the gp120 protein. The NCAs bound only to the V3 region and the C-terminus of gp120. The NCA with the most lysine groups modified had the greatest affinity for the V3 region. This NCA also was most active against HIV in viral assays. Monoclonal antibodies against the V3 region blocked the binding of NCAs to the synthetic peptide. The binding appears to be electrostatic in nature, since the V3 region is positively charged.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1996
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Comparative analysis of the gp120-binding area of murine and human CD4 molecules
Article Abstract:
There appear to be differences in structure between the human CD4 molecule and the mouse CD4 molecule. The CD4 molecule is the receptor on T cells to which HIV binds. The binding occurs between the viral envelope protein gp120 and the CD4 molecule. Mouse CD4 molecules do not bind gp120. Analysis of different mutations of the CD4 molecule reveal that the mouse CD4 molecule has longer loops in the vicinity of the C" strand. The amino acid valine occurs at position 43 rather than phenylalanine. And the amino acids at positions 45 and 46 differ.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1997
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Antioxidants and dipyridamole inhibit HIV-1 gp120-induced free radical-based oxidative damage to human monocytoid cells
Article Abstract:
The HIV-1 virus does not attack nerve cells, but it produces a protein, gp120, which does, causing dementia. This article presents research into antioxidants which prevent that cell damage.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
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