Protein-biomembrane interactions as therapeutic targets

Abstract

Biological membranes are dynamic structures essential for several cellular phenomena. The scope of the work of the Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) Biomembranes Unit is the study of biochemical and biophysical processes occurring at the membrane level on human cells and on their viral and bacterial pathogens. On the viral context, we are primarily interested on HIV and dengue virus, and particularly on the two steps of their life cycle involving their interaction with host cell membranes: the viral entry into target cells and the assembly of new viral particles. A special focus will be given to the study of the role of biological membranes on the mechanism of action of the HIV entry (membrane fusion) inhibitors enfuvirtide and T-1249. We are also involved in assessing the molecular basis of the activity of microbicides, such as rBPI21, that bind to specific components of bacterial membranes. Additionally, our line of work on the binding of fibrinogen to erythrocytes, and its relevance as a cardiovascular risk factor will be presented. An approach to the latter problem by single-molecule force spectroscopy, using an atomic force microscope (AFM), allowed the molecular recognition, characterization and partial identification of the human erythrocyte receptor for fibrinogen.