Grant: Operating Grant

The majority of enveloped viruses are released from the infected cells by budding through the cell membrane. The incorporation of cellular constituents is likely to occur during the budding process as the cellular membrane plays an active role during the assembly of the virion. Retroviruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), have been previously reported to insert a vast array of host-encoded cell surface components within their envelope. In the current research project, we are proposing experiments which will permit to gain novel insights into the interaction between the viral precursor Pr55Gag and host-derived ICAM-1. Results from the proposed studies should permit to design a novel therapeutic strategy to combat this debilitating human disease when considering that the acquisition of host-derived ICAM-1 by HIV-1 has been reported to significantly enhance virus infectivity.