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. 2004 Jan 1;377(Pt 1):107–110. doi: 10.1042/BJ20031350

Putative role of membranes in the HIV fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide mode of action at the molecular level.

Salomé Veiga 1, Sónia Henriques 1, Nuno C Santos 1, Miguel Castanho 1
PMCID: PMC1223848  PMID: 14514352

Abstract

Partition of the intrinsically fluorescent HIV fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide into lipidic membranes is relatively high (Delta G =6.6 kcal x mol(-1)) and modulated by cholesterol. A shallow position in the lipidic matrix makes it readily available for interaction with gp41. No conformational energetic barrier prevents enfuvirtide from being active in both aqueous solution and lipidic membranes. Lipidic membranes may play a key role in the enfuvirtide biochemical mode of action.

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Selected References

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