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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Imaging of HIV-1 Envelope-induced Virological Synapse and Signaling on Synthetic Lipid Bilayers
Published on: March 8, 2012
Interaction of human immunodeficiency virus gp120 with the voltage-gated potassium channel BEC1
Madeleine Herrmann1, Klemens Ruprecht, Marlies Sauter
1Institute of Virology, Building 47, University of Saarland Medical School, 66421 Homburg (Saar), Germany.
Abstract:
Retrovirus replication critically depends on a dynamic interplay between retroviral and host proteins. We report on the binding of the surface subunit (glycoprotein 120 (gp120)) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein (Env) to the cytoplasmic C-terminus of the voltage-gated potassium channel BEC1 (brain-specific ether-a-go-go-like channel 1), an interaction that can result in the repression of BEC's activity and the inhibition of HIV-1 particle-release. BEC1 protein was found to be expressed in T cells and macrophages, the major target cells of HIV-1. Thus, gp120/BEC1 interaction may be involved in HIV-1 life cycle and/or pathogenesis.
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