Maturation of the viral core enhances the fusion of HIV-1 particles with primary human T cells and monocyte-derived macrophages

Virology. 2006 Mar 15;346(2):460-8. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.11.008. Epub 2005 Dec 20.

Abstract

HIV-1 infection requires fusion of viral and cellular membranes in a reaction catalyzed by the viral envelope proteins gp120 and gp41. We recently reported that efficient HIV-1 particle fusion with target cells is linked to maturation of the viral core by an activity of the gp41 cytoplasmic domain. Here, we show that maturation enhances the fusion of a variety of recombinant viruses bearing primary and laboratory-adapted Env proteins with primary human CD4+ T cells. Overall, HIV-1 fusion was more dependent on maturation for viruses bearing X4-tropic envelope proteins than for R5-tropic viruses. Fusion of HIV-1 with monocyte-derived macrophages was also dependent on particle maturation. We conclude that the ability to couple fusion to particle maturation is a common feature of HIV-1 Env proteins and may play an important role during HIV-1 replication in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cell Line
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / physiology
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / virology*
  • Membrane Fusion*
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • Receptors, HIV / metabolism
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, HIV