Figure 6.

Env clustering depends on CT_751–811 mediated chol interaction and maturation state. a) Schematic illustration of the CT_751–854 region responsible for gp41–chol interaction. b) In wild‐type HIV‐1 particles, the full‐length gp41 protein interacts with viral membrane chol via the CT_751–854 region. Upon maturation, Env trimers are free to diffuse and coalesce into a single focus mediated by their interaction with chol. This clustering enables efficient fusion with the host cell. c) When the CT_751–854 region is truncated, the protein loses the capacity to interact with chol. Upon maturation, truncated Env trimers cannot coalesce into a single focus as they are excluded from chol‐rich domains. The absence of an Env cluster results in a defect in fusion with the host cell. d) Disruption of the gp41–chol interaction by treatment of wild‐type HIV‐1 particles with COase and conversion of chol to cholestenone, induces a dispersion of the already clustered Env particles, resulting in a phenotype similar to the truncated Env trimers.