Yuntao Wu, Professor, Molecular and Microbiology, School of Systems Biology, College of Science, is studying the structure of dicameric repeats (DR) of PSGL-1, a host protein that inhibits HIV virion infectivity.
These are repeated stretches of 10 amino acids with numerous O-glycosylated threonines and prolines.
Wu and his collaborators hypothesize that the structural rigidity and glycosylation of dicameric repeats affect anti-HIV activity.
The researchers have two aims.
First, they aim to determine the structure-function of DR.
Second, they intend to test and validate the anti-HIV activity of PSGL-1 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1) that inactivates the activity of HIV virions released from HIV-producing cells.
The researchers hold that this study will help scientists develop novel therapeutics, based on PSGL-1’s anti-HIV activity, for a functional cure of HIV.
Wu received $684,034 from the National Institutes of Health for this project. Funding began in Aug. 2024 and will end in late July 2025.
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