How a cell enzyme trims HIV surface proteins
Ectodomain shedding and HIV replication
Looking at how the human enzyme ADAM10 changes HIV proteins and affects the virus in CD4 T cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11242025 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how ADAM10, a cell-surface enzyme, cuts the HIV envelope protein gp41 and causes parts of gp41 to be shed from virus particles. They will compare normal HIV with versions missing the viral protein Nef and with gp41 mutants to see how these changes alter infectivity and spread. Experiments use biochemical assays, virus infectivity tests, and primary human CD4+ T cells or donated blood cells to measure effects. The team will also explore whether the clathrin adaptor AP-2 and other cell proteins are involved in protecting gp41 from cleavage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV or healthy volunteers who can donate blood or CD4+ T cells for laboratory studies would be appropriate candidates to contribute samples.
Not a fit: This is lab-focused research and is unlikely to provide direct clinical benefit or change an individual's HIV treatment in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets to limit HIV spread and inspire therapies that help protect CD4 T cells.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown ADAM10 can be incorporated into HIV particles and affect gp41 cleavage, but translating that knowledge into treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gottlinger, Heinrich — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Gottlinger, Heinrich
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.