Characterization of the new shape of the virus (IMAGE)

University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)

Characterization of the new shape of the virus

Caption

When HIV infects cells of the human immune system, it uses protein spikes on its exterior membraneous envelope (highlighted by green circles and red arrows) to attach itself to specific cell receptors. In research published in Cell Host & Microbe on April 10, 2019, scientists used a molecular 'can opener' to force the virus to open up, revealing through advanced imaging technology a previously unknown shape and exposing vulnerable parts of the protein spike that can be targeted by antibodies. Visualizing the virus envelope spike's shape could help develop more effective HIV vaccines.

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James Munro (Tufts University School of Medicine) with given permission of <em>Cell Host & Microbe</em>

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