Cryo-EM structures of HIV-1 trimer bound to CD4-mimetics BNM-III-170 and M48U1 adopt a CD4-bound open conformation

Abstract

Conformational changes of HIV’s Env protein are required for its function in fusing the viral and host cell membranes. Here the authors describe how two small molecules alter the confirmation of Env trimers, and show they can induce structural changes similar to those occur upon receptor binding.