New Drug Blocks Anchoring of HIV to Host Cells (1 of 2) (IMAGE)
Caption
This image shows HIV-1 locked out in a schematic presentation of an HIV-1 particle blocked prior to the insertion of the gp41 fusion peptide (red) into the host cell membrane. HIV-1 entry is a complex process that can be inhibited at multiple steps. As Forssmann et al. show, a small peptide named VIR-576 (magenta) that interacts directly with the gp41 fusion peptide inhibits viral replication of HIV-1 infected individuals. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Dec. 22, 2010, issue of Science Translational Medicine, published by AAAS. The study, by Wolf-Georg Forssmann of Hannover Medical School in Hannover, Germany, and colleagues, was titled, "Short-Term Monotherapy in HIV-infected Patients with a Virus Entry Inhibitor Against the gp41 Fusion Peptide."
Credit
Image courtesy of F. Kirchhoff/University Hospital Ulm
Usage Restrictions
Please cite the owner of the image when publishing. This image may be freely used by reporters as part of news coverage, with proper attribution. Non-reporters must contact <i>Science</i> for permission.
License
Licensed content