Download MendeleySolution Structure and Membrane Interaction of the Cytoplasmic Tail of HIV-1 gp41 Protein.
Murphy, R.E., Samal, A.B., Vlach, J., Saad, J.S.(2017) Structure 25: 1708-1718.e5
- PubMed: 29056482 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2017.09.010
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5VWL - PubMed Abstract:
The cytoplasmic tail of gp41 (gp41CT) remains the last HIV-1 domain with an unknown structure. It plays important roles in HIV-1 replication such as mediating envelope (Env) intracellular trafficking and incorporation into assembling virions, mechanisms of which are poorly understood. Here, we present the solution structure of gp41CT in a micellar environment and characterize its interaction with the membrane. We show that the N-terminal 45 residues are unstructured and not associated with the membrane. However, the C-terminal 105 residues form three membrane-bound amphipathic α helices with distinctive structural features such as variable degree of membrane penetration, hydrophobic and basic surfaces, clusters of aromatic residues, and a network of cation-π interactions. This work fills a major gap by providing the structure of the last segment of HIV-1 Env, which will provide insights into the mechanisms of Gag-mediated Env incorporation as well as the overall Env mobility and conformation on the virion surface.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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