# Architecture and dynamics of immature HIV lattice

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $571,685

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Our long-term goal is to gain a molecular understanding of the machinery that regulates the assembly, release,
and maturation of infectious HIV virions. Newly released HIV virions are immature and have a lattice of proteins
(mainly the Gag polyprotein) that underpins their viral membrane. Through proteolysis, HIV enzymes help
transform this lattice into a conical mature core, after which the virus becomes infectious. Maturation Inhibitors,
a new class of antiviral drugs, are designed to bind to the immature lattice and interfere with this transformation.
During the previous award period, we showed that the stability of the immature lattice is dependent on other HIV
components aside from the Gag polyprotein. The small size of HIV virions makes studying their lattice dynamics
challenging, therefore, we developed biophysical, imaging, and computational methods to enable these
measurements. We have two main aims for this award period. Our first aim is to investigate the specific effects
of different non-Gag components on the stability of the immature lattice and determine the nature of biomolecular
forces stabilizing it. Our second aim is to determine how dynamics within the lattice drive the activation of HIV
enzymes and kick start the maturation process. By advancing our understanding of the biomechanical principles
governing the immature lattice of HIV and its maturation, our studies will inform both the design of next-
generation antivirals as well as future lentiviral systems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11009460
- **Project number:** 1R01AI186663-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Saveez Saffarian
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $571,685
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-06 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11009460

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11009460, Architecture and dynamics of immature HIV lattice (1R01AI186663-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11009460. Licensed CC0.

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