Maolin Lu

HIV-1 envelope glycan loss links receptor adaptation and innate immune escape in SHIVs

This study shows that HIV-1 envelope glycan loss in SHIVs improves CD4 receptor utilization and reduces IFN restriction, linking receptor adaptation and immune escape.

Peptide inhibitors recognize prefusion viral fusion proteins with heterogeneous stoichiometry and rapid kinetics

This study uses single-molecule imaging to show peptide inhibitors bind to prefusion viral fusion proteins with varying stoichiometry and rapid kinetics, challenging the canonical prehairpin-intermediate model.

Distinct allosteric remodeling of HIV-1 Env dynamics on virions by gp41-directed antibodies reveals two modes of neutralization

This study uses single-molecule FRET to show that gp41-directed antibodies stabilize or open the prefusion-closed state of HIV-1 Env, revealing two neutralization mechanisms.

Conformational trajectory of the HIV-1 fusion peptide during CD4-induced envelope opening

This study visualizes the conformational changes of the HIV-1 fusion peptide during CD4-induced Env opening, showing it remains antibody accessible despite Env opening.

HIV-1-envelope trimer transitions from prefusion-closed to CD4-bound-open conformations through an occluded-intermediate state

This study identifies an occluded-intermediate state in the HIV-1 Env trimer transition pathway using molecular dynamics and smFRET, revealing new structural features and antibody recognition.