title: Vpu from HIV-1 on an atomic scale: experiments and computer simulations.
abstract: Vpu is an 81 amino acid protein encoded by HIV-1. Its role is to amplify viral release by two mechanisms: (i) docking to CD4 with the consequence of targeting CD4 for ubiquitine-mediated degradation, and (ii) formation of ion channels to enhance particle release. The intensive research on its in vivo function, combined with structural investigations, makes this viral membrane protein one of the better characterised membrane proteins. The wealth of structural information enables the use of computational methods to elucidate the mechanisms of function on an atomic scale. The discovery of Vpu and the development of structural models in a chronological order is summarised and first efforts on investigating the mechanics are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Biomembrane Structure Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK. wolfgang.fischer@bioch.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012984:Software; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014771:Virion; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C514859:vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins