Enfuvirtide Acetate (CAS 914454-00-5)

Enfuvirtide Acetate is a synthetic peptide that is a modified form of the antiviral peptide enfuvirtide, where the peptide is combined with acetate to enhance its stability and solubility for research purposes. Enfuvirtide itself is known for its role in inhibiting the fusion of HIV-1 with host cells. The mechanism of action of enfuvirtide, and by extension Enfuvirtide Acetate, involves binding to the gp41 subunit of the HIV-1 glycoprotein. This binding prevents the conformational changes required for the virus to fuse with the cellular membrane of the host cell. Specifically, enfuvirtide mimics the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) domain of gp41, competitively inhibiting the interaction between the heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and HR2 domains. This action blocks the formation of the fusogenic six-helix bundle, a critical step in the viral entry process. In research, Enfuvirtide Acetate has been utilized to study the detailed process of HIV-1 fusion and entry into host cells. By using this compound, scientists can investigate how the inhibition of gp41-mediated fusion affects the viral life cycle and explore potential strategies for interfering with this process at a molecular level. Additionally, Enfuvirtide Acetate is used in the development of new methods for studying peptide-lipid interactions. The peptide′s action involves interaction with the viral and cellular membranes, and studying these interactions provides insights into the mechanisms by which peptides can alter membrane properties to prevent viral entry.