Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Conformational Evaluation of HIV-1 Trimeric Envelope Glycoproteins Using a Cell-based ELISA Assay
07:10

Conformational Evaluation of HIV-1 Trimeric Envelope Glycoproteins Using a Cell-based ELISA Assay

Published on: September 14, 2014

14.7K

Structure of the membrane proximal external region of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein

Qingshan Fu1, Md Munan Shaik2,3, Yongfei Cai2,3

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The HIV-1 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) structure reveals a prefusion conformation, offering new insights for developing MPER-based vaccine candidates targeting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs).

Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is a key target for broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs).
  • Understanding the MPER's structure is crucial for designing effective HIV-1 vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the NMR structure of the HIV-1 MPER and its adjacent transmembrane domain in a membrane-mimicking environment.
  • To investigate the MPER's conformation and its implications for antibody binding and HIV-1 fusion.

Main Methods:

  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the MPER structure in bicelles.
  • Antigenic analysis and comparison with electron cryotomography data.

Main Results:

  • The MPER adopts a threefold clustered structure outside the lipid bilayer, stabilized by hydrophobic residues.
  • The determined structure likely represents a prefusion conformation, distinct from the fusion-intermediate state.
  • Slow bnAb binding suggests infrequent structural fluctuations provide access to alternative epitope conformations.

Conclusions:

  • The MPER structure provides a potential prefusion conformation for vaccine design.
  • MPER structure and mutations influence both membrane fusion and the presentation of bnAb epitopes.
  • Findings suggest strategies for developing novel MPER-based HIV-1 vaccine candidates.
Keywords:
HIV-1 EnvNMR structuremembrane proximal regiontransmembrane region

More Related Videos

Determination of Molecular Structures of HIV Envelope Glycoproteins using Cryo-Electron Tomography and Automated Sub-tomogram Averaging07:29

Determination of Molecular Structures of HIV Envelope Glycoproteins using Cryo-Electron Tomography and Automated Sub-tomogram Averaging

Published on: December 1, 2011

42.0K
Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo08:29

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo

Published on: October 21, 2014

12.6K

Related Concept Videos

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope01:18

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...
1.1K
Introduction to Membrane Proteins01:16

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, is an ever-changing landscape. It is described as a fluid mosaic where various macromolecules are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Among the macromolecules are proteins. The protein content varies across cell types. For example, mitochondrial inner membranes contain ~76% protein content, while myelin contains ~18% protein content. Individual cells contain many types of membrane proteins—red blood cells contain over 50—and different cell...
81.3K
Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins01:21

Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins

Proteoglycans are extensively glycosylated proteins, commonly found in the extracellular matrix, interwoven with collagen fibers. Hyaline cartilage, the most common type of cartilage in the body, consists of short and dispersed collagen fibers associated with large amounts of proteoglycans. These proteoglycans have long negative charges that attract cations, which in turn attract water molecules. This influx of ions and water molecules swells up the proteoglycan like a water-soaked gel that can...
5.1K
Work Done on a System by External Force01:11

Work Done on a System by External Force

The work done by an external force on a particle changes its kinetic energy. However, internal forces must also be considered for a system of interacting particles. The potential energy formulation helps formulate the effect of internal forces. The net work done by an external force can be written in terms of the total change of mechanical energy, which includes both kinetic and potential energies.
In the presence of a non-conservative opposing force, like friction, some part of the work done...
3.0K
Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
74.6K
The Eukaryotic Promoter Region02:40

The Eukaryotic Promoter Region

The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences.  The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions are...
18.8K