Peptide Inhibitors of HIV-1 Egress

Abstract

HIV-1 release requires a direct interaction between the p6 domain of the Gag protein and Tsg101, a component of the cellular endosomal sorting complex required for transport I (ESCRT-I). Disruption of the binding between Gag and Tsg101 is highly detrimental to particle release, making this viral-host cell interaction a potential target for the development of novel anti-HIV-1 agents. An article in this issue reports on the application of a bacterial reverse two-hybrid strategy to identify a cyclic peptide that disrupts Gag-Tsg101 binding and suppresses HIV-1 particle release.