Journal of General Virology

Cell surface receptors, virus entry and tropism of primate lentiviruses

Paul R. Clapham¹ and Áine McKnight²

¹ Center for AIDS Research, Program in Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Biotech II, 373, Plantation Street, Worcester. MA 01605, USA
² The Wohl Virion Center, Department of Immunology and Molecular Pathology, The Windeyer Institute for Medical Sciences, University College London, 46 Cleveland Street, London W1P 6DB, UK

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exploits cell surface receptors to attach to and gain entry into cells. The HIV envelope spike glycoprotein on the surface of virus particles binds both CD4 and a seven-transmembrane coreceptor. These interactions trigger conformational changes in the envelope spike that induce fusion of viral and cellular membranes and entry of the viral core into the cell cytoplasm. Other cell surface receptors also interact with gp120 and aid attachment of virus particles. This review describes these receptors, their roles in HIV entry and their influence on cell tropism.

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© 2002 SGM

This article is now available in the August 2002 print issue of JGV (vol. 83, 1809–1829). The complete issue of the journal may be seen in electronic form on JGV Online.