Investigating HIV-1 Vpu-Mediated Downregulation of EWI-2
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
EWI-2 and CD81 are fusion inhibitory proteins, preventing excessive HIV-1-induced cell-cell fusion by localizing at the virological synapse (VS); A cellular junction allowing for efficient cell-to-cell virus transmission. CD81 and EWI-2 are downregulated, yet needed at the VS, revealing a delicate balance that needs to be maintained to maximize virus spread. Fluorescent microscopy co-localization experiments showed a high degree of co-localization between EWI-2 and Vpu. Flow cytometry analysis of tetraspanin knockdown HeLa cells transfected with Vpu and stably expressing EWI-2 will reveal any differences in surface EWI-2 levels when CD81 levels are impacted.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Markus Thali
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Health Sciences
Investigating HIV-1 Vpu-Mediated Downregulation of EWI-2
EWI-2 and CD81 are fusion inhibitory proteins, preventing excessive HIV-1-induced cell-cell fusion by localizing at the virological synapse (VS); A cellular junction allowing for efficient cell-to-cell virus transmission. CD81 and EWI-2 are downregulated, yet needed at the VS, revealing a delicate balance that needs to be maintained to maximize virus spread. Fluorescent microscopy co-localization experiments showed a high degree of co-localization between EWI-2 and Vpu. Flow cytometry analysis of tetraspanin knockdown HeLa cells transfected with Vpu and stably expressing EWI-2 will reveal any differences in surface EWI-2 levels when CD81 levels are impacted.