| A computer generated video of a cell membrane being “pierced” by HIV peptides:
The positively charged HIV peptides (shown in red) are drawn to negatively charged phosphates (shown in yellow) in the cell membrane.
When an HIV peptide cannot satisfy itself with the negative charges available on the cell membrane surface it is directly attached to, it reaches through the membrane to grab negatively charged phosphates (shown in green) on the other side, opening a hole in the cell.
Once all the peptides have been neutralized, the reaction stops and the hole closes, leaving behind a healthy, viable cell.
|
