Why HIV Virions Have Low Numbers of Envelope Spikes: Implications for Vaccine Development

Abstract excerpt

The major structural proteins of most viruses, including both naked icosahedral and enveloped types, are present in a dense array on the virion surface. This pattern has likely evolved to promote structural integrity, maximize cell binding and entry, and minimize genome size. HIV and related simian lentiviruses are unusual in having a low density of envelope protein spikes on their surfaces (Figure 1) [1]. Why...

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