Protein fragments surface spreading

Another potential class of antivirals is those that interfere with the ability of virus to enter cells. If the virus entry process is inhibited, then spread of infection within an individual might be inhibited. As discussed earlier, HIV virus particles initially attach to cells by way of the cellular receptor for CD4 protein, which is embedded in the surface of normal T lymphocytes and macrophages. Recently, recombinant DNA techniques have been used to make large amounts of a part of the pure CD4 protein. Test-tube experiments have shown that if this CD4 protein fragment is incubated with T lymphocytes or macrophages, it can saturate all the CD4 receptors and prevent subsequent infection with HIV. It is possible that this approach might be effective in people, as well. 

We are currently analysing the kinetic data for the molecular spreading on the surface, and therefore here we only report a few preliminary and qualitative results. The MD runs show that the final adsorption state is attained through a liquid-like spreading of the protein fragments, often accompanied by tilting of the whole molecule, as reported in Figure... 

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