IS CD4 SUFFICIENT FOR HIV ENTRY - CELL-SURFACE MOLECULES INVOLVED IN HIV-INFECTION

HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV each bind to CD4 as the first step in virus entry. However, alternative receptors may also be used. HIV-1 binds to glycolipids with terminal galactosylceramide residues on neural cells; opsonized virus binds to Fc receptors; HIV-2 can infect certain CD4-negative cells. Further receptors may also play a role in CD4-mediated infection, including cell adhesion molecules and possibly cell surface proteinases. After binding to CD4, immunodeficiency viruses require secondary molecules to effect fusion between the virus envelope and the cell membrane; these accessory requirements differ between HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV.