Structural dynamics of HIV-1 envelope Gp120 outer domain with V3 loop.

Background: The net charge of the hypervariable V3 loop on the HIV-1 envelope gp120 outer domain plays a key role in modulating viral phenotype. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation remain poorly understood.

Methodology/principal Findings: By combining computational and experimental approaches, we examined how V3 net charge could influence the phenotype of the gp120 interaction surface.

Regulation of the susceptibility of HIV-1 to a neutralizing antibody KD-247 by nonepitope mutations distant from its epitope.

Objective: A humanized neutralizing antibody, KD-247, targets the V3 loop of HIV-1 Env. HIV-1 bearing the GPGR sequence at the V3 loop is potentially susceptible to KD-247. However, not all GPGR-positive HIV-1 isolates are neutralized by KD-247.

Current HIV type 1 molecular epidemiology profile and identification of unique recombinant forms in Jakarta, Indonesia.

HIV infection is a major problem in Indonesia. The number of people living with HIV has been increasing from year to year, especially among injecting drug users (IDUs). Since there were only limited data about molecular epidemiology profiles of HIV/AIDS in Indonesia, a cross-sectional study involving 208 HIV-1-seropositive individuals was conducted in 2007 in Jakarta.

Net positive charge of HIV-1 CRF01_AE V3 sequence regulates viral sensitivity to humoral immunity.

The third variable region (V3) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope gp120 subunit participates in determination of viral infection coreceptor tropism and host humoral immune responses. Positive charge of the V3 plays a key role in determining viral coreceptor tropism. Here, we examined by bioinformatics, experimental, and protein modelling approaches whether the net positive charge of V3 sequence regulates viral sensitivity to humoral immunity.

The death of Izanami, an ancient Japanese goddess: an early report of a case of puerperal fever.

Even in the 21st Century, approximately 60,0000 women die of pregnancy-related causes each year. WHO reported that 98% of these deaths occur in developing countries; the largest gap between rich and poor nations was evident in the maternal mortality levels. In developed countries, massive hemorrhage and thrombo-embolism are the most frequent causes of maternal death, while in developing countries perinatal infection is the leading cause.

First report of CRF03_AB recombinant HIV type 1 in injecting drug users in Ukraine.

It has been reported that subtypes A throughout H of HIV-1 are circulating in the former Soviet Union. In this sequence note, we analyzed the genetic prevalence of HIV-1 among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Ukraine. The subjects studied included two individuals from Kiev and six individuals from Simferopol', the latter located in the Crimean Peninsula.