Structure dynamics of HIV-1 Env trimers on native virions engaged with living T cells

Abstract

Irene Carlon-Andres et al. combine single-molecule spectroscopy and two-photon FRET-FLIM to characterize the dynamics of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer. Their results suggest that Env-Env interactions at the surface of viral particles are maturation-dependent and disrupted by CD4 and neutralizing antibodies, providing insight into the mechanisms of HIV-1 entry and immune evasion.