Understanding how HIV-1 Nef enhances the virus's ability to infect cells
Official title: Basis of Serinc-Independent Enhancement of Infectivity by HIV-1Nef
Funded at Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego · NIH-11187607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific protein called Nef helps the HIV virus become more infectious, even when some usual blockers aren't around, and it's aimed at finding new ways to understand and fight HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | January 3, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $214,613 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI189232-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who may benefit from improved treatment strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have already achieved viral suppression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the HIV-1 Nef protein in increasing the infectivity of the virus, even in the absence of certain known inhibitors. The study aims to identify unknown proteins or pathways that Nef interacts with to enhance viral replication and infectivity. Using advanced techniques like proximity-proteomics, researchers will explore the mechanisms behind Nef's function, which could lead to new insights into HIV biology. This research is particularly focused on understanding how Nef operates independently of the CD4 receptor and SERINC proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on HIV-1 Nef, this approach of identifying unknown pathways is innovative and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guatelli, John C. — Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
- Study coordinator: Guatelli, John C.
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.