|
|
|
National
Science Foundation
Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research
Summer
Undergraduate Diversity Research Program
Vanessa Thompson
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Jack Nunberg, Director
Montana Biotechnology Center
Mutagenic
Analysis of the HIV Envelope
Glycoprotein Complex gp 120 - gp 41:
Determination of the Effects of a Single Alanine
Abstract
|
|
The envelope glycoprotein
complex of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) consists of two noncovalently
bound subunits, gp120 and gp41, and is necessary for virion binding and
fusion with a target host cell. While much is known about this complex,
additional information about its structure and function will aid in the
understanding of the HIV infection mechanism. The goal of this project was
to determine the effects of a threonine-to-alanine substitution in gp41
on the stability of the gp41-gp120 association. The threonine 606 residue
was selected as the site for investigation because it is highly conserved
among most HIV-1 isolates. In addition, the region containing T606 has been
strongly implicated in the association between gp120 and gp41. To accomplish
the project goal, a mutation was engineered into the envelope glycoprotein
genetic sequence changing amino acid 606 from its native threonine to an
alanine. This mutated DNA was then introduced into monkey COS cells and
resulting envelope glycoprotein expression was evaluated to determine the
mutated glycoprotein's biosynthesis, stability and fusogenic potential.
Presentation topics will include background information on HIV, experimental
design, methodology and results from these studies. |
 |
