Abstract
A number of different viral families have developed convergent methods to infect cells. Class I fusion proteins are commonly used by members of Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filovirdae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, and Retroviridae. Class I viral fusion proteins are trimers that are involved in recognizing the cellular receptor, with a region that is responsible for fusing the viral and target cell membranes. During the fusion process, the fusion region folds into a six-helix bundle (6 HB) which approximates the two membranes leading to fusion. For Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the gp41 subunit is responsible for the formation of this 6 HB. The fusion inhibitor drug enfuvirtide, or T20, is the only US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approved drug which targets this crucial step and has been widely used in combination regimens for the treatment of HIV since March 2003. In this review, we describe the current state of peptide-based fusion inhibitors in the treatment of HIV, and review how the field of HIV research is driving advances in the development of similar therapeutics in other viral systems, including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses.
Keywords: HIV, T20, enfuvirtide, gp41, fusion, SARS, Coronaviruses.
Graphical Abstract
Current HIV Research
Title:Peptide-based Fusion Inhibitors for Preventing the Six-helix Bundle Formation of Class I Fusion Proteins: HIV and Beyond
Volume: 19 Issue: 6
Author(s): Ajit Monteiro, Karl O. A. Yu and Mark D. Hicar*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14260,United States
Keywords: HIV, T20, enfuvirtide, gp41, fusion, SARS, Coronaviruses.
Abstract: A number of different viral families have developed convergent methods to infect cells. Class I fusion proteins are commonly used by members of Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filovirdae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, and Retroviridae. Class I viral fusion proteins are trimers that are involved in recognizing the cellular receptor, with a region that is responsible for fusing the viral and target cell membranes. During the fusion process, the fusion region folds into a six-helix bundle (6 HB) which approximates the two membranes leading to fusion. For Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the gp41 subunit is responsible for the formation of this 6 HB. The fusion inhibitor drug enfuvirtide, or T20, is the only US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approved drug which targets this crucial step and has been widely used in combination regimens for the treatment of HIV since March 2003. In this review, we describe the current state of peptide-based fusion inhibitors in the treatment of HIV, and review how the field of HIV research is driving advances in the development of similar therapeutics in other viral systems, including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Monteiro Ajit , Yu O. A. Karl and Hicar D. Mark *, Peptide-based Fusion Inhibitors for Preventing the Six-helix Bundle Formation of Class I Fusion Proteins: HIV and Beyond, Current HIV Research 2021; 19 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X19666210908115231
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X19666210908115231 |
Print ISSN 1570-162X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4251 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers