Abstract 2564 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) interacts with Cx43 gap junctions

Several viruses including HIV-1 and other retroviruses are known to spread directly between cells. Direct cell-to-cell spread allows viruses to evade the antibody-based immune defense and thus infection becomes significantly more efficient. Viruses have been observed to interact with cell junctions; however, detailed mechanisms of transfer have not been defined. Gap junctions (GJs), which provide direct cell-to-cell communication (GJIC) use channels assembled from connexin (Cx) proteins that cluster into large arrays in the adjacent membranes of neighboring cells.