Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Conformational Evaluation of HIV-1 Trimeric Envelope Glycoproteins Using a Cell-based ELISA Assay
Published on: September 14, 2014
A sequestered fusion peptide in the structure of an HIV-1 transmitted founder envelope trimer
Neeti Ananthaswamy1, Qianglin Fang2, Wadad AlSalmi1
1Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA.
Abstract:
The envelope protein of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and its fusion peptide are essential for cell entry and vaccine design. Here, we describe the 3.9-Å resolution structure of an envelope protein trimer from a very early transmitted founder virus (CRF01_AE T/F100) complexed with Fab from the broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) 8ANC195. The overall T/F100 trimer structure is similar to other reported "closed" state prefusion trimer structures. In contrast, the fusion peptide, which is exposed to solvent in reported closed structures, is sequestered (buried) in the hydrophobic core of the T/F100 trimer. A buried conformation has previously been observed in "open" state structures formed after CD4 receptor binding. The T/F100 trimer binds poorly to bNAbs including the fusion peptide-specific bNAbs PGT151 and VRC34.01. The T/F100 structure might represent a prefusion state, intermediate between the closed and open states. These observations are relevant to mechanisms of HIV-1 transmission and vaccine design.
More Related Videos
07:29Determination of Molecular Structures of HIV Envelope Glycoproteins using Cryo-Electron Tomography and Automated Sub-tomogram Averaging
Published on: December 1, 2011
07:22A High-throughput Cre-Lox Activated Viral Membrane Fusion Assay to Identify Inhibitors of HIV-1 Viral Membrane Fusion
Published on: August 14, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Nuclear Fusion
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...
Peptide Bonds
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope
Viral Structure
Protein and Protein Structure
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme...