HIV infection and oligosaccharides: a novel approach to preventing HIV infection and the onset of AIDS.
Infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) is triggered by binding of a glycoprotein called gp120 on the viral surface to CD4 molecules on the surface of target cells. Half of the gp120 glycoprotein is composed of oligosaccharides. It has been found that the gp120 oligosaccharides are essential in HIV infection and that high-mannose type oligosaccharides present in the gp120 molecule are especially critical. Investigation of gp120 oligosaccharides not only clarified the roles of oligosaccharides in HIV infection but also indicated a way to create novel anti-HIV agents by focusing on oligosaccharides. This review introduces the significance of oligosaccharides of the viral glycoprotein in HIV infection and our novel approach to preventing HIV infection and the onset of AIDS by targeting HIV oligosaccharides.
Mizuochi
Tsuguo
T
Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokai University, 1117 Kitakaname, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan. miz@keyaki.cc.u-tokai.ac.jp
Nakata
Munehiro
M