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Wen  Yuan
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: Cornell University
Primary Appointment: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and International Health
Research Interests:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Email Address: wy5e@virginia.edu
Research Description

The research in Dr. Yuan’s lab focuses on the structure-function relationship of HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins.  As the sole viral component on the virion surface, HIV envelope glycoproteins mediate virus entry into target cells, as well as serve as attractive targets in the development of prophylactic approach, including vaccine.

HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, gp120 and gp41, constitute a trimeric complex that is anchored on the virus by the membrane-spanning segments of the gp41 transmembrane envelop glycoproteins. The gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein is retained on the trimer via labile, non-covalent interactions with the gp41 ectodomain.  The gp120 binds the cellular receptors, CD4 and one of the chemokine receptors, CCR5 or CXCR4. Receptor binding triggers conformational changes in the envelope glycoproteins that lead to the gp41 fusing the viral and target cell membranes.  Understanding the structure and the conformational transitions of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins is essential to any rational attempt to block virus entry by drugs or vaccine-induced antibodies.

Selected Publications
  • Yuan W, Bazick J and Sodroski J. (2006) Characterization of the multiple conformational states of free monomeric and trimeric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins after fixation by crosslinker. J Virol 80:8725-37.
  • Si Z, Vandegraaff N, O’hUigin C, Song B, Yuan W, Xu C, Perron M, Li X, Marasco WA, Engelman A, Dean M and Sodroski J. (2006) Evolution of a novel cytoplasmic Trim protein in cows that restricts retroviral infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103:7454-9.
  • Yuan W, Craig S, Yang X and Sodroski J. (2005) Inter-subunit disulfide bonds in soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers. Virology 332:369-83.
  • Yuan W, Craig S, Si Z, Farzan M and Sodroski J. (2004) CD4-induced T-20 binding to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 blocks interaction with the CXCR4 coreceptor. J Virol 78:5448-57.
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 801340, Carter-Harrison Bldg 1710, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-243-2705
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-1590

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    http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/thaler/home.cfm

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