Grant: Operating Grant

Virus entry to host cells is an essential yet poorly understood process. It can occur at the cell membrane triggered by binding to cognate receptors or in an intracellular compartment induced by a low pH. While entry of retroviruses, typified by HIV-1, is pH-independent, we have recently found that oncogenic sheep retroviruses use a pH-dependent mechanism for fusion and cell entry. The objective of the proposed research is to understand the mechanisms of fusion and cell entry by these oncogenic sheep retroviruses and their possible implications for pathogenesis. Results from these studied will also provide crucial insights into a better understanding of fusion and entry of other enveloped viruses, and may offer valuable information to the development of novel antiviral therapy.