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Updated: May 7, 2026

Conformational Evaluation of HIV-1 Trimeric Envelope Glycoproteins Using a Cell-based ELISA Assay
Published on: September 14, 2014
Structural requirements of glycosaminoglycans for their interaction with HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120
Pedro M Matos1, David Andreu, Nuno C Santos
1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract:
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are known to assist HIV-1 entry into host cells, mediated by the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120. We aimed to determine the general structural features of glycosaminoglycans that enable their binding to gp120, by surface plasmon resonance. Binding was found to be dependent on sequence type, size and sulfation patterns. HIV-1 gp120 prefers heparin and heparan sulfate (with at least 16 monomers in length) over chondroitin and dermatan. Sulfate groups were essential to promote this interaction. These results advance the understanding of the molecular-level requirements for virus attachment and cell entry.
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