Structural studies have provided new insights into lenacapavir's unique mechanism of action. Using electron cryotomography, researchers found that treatment of intact HIV capsids with lenacapavir causes capsids to rupture, with ruptures occurring first in areas of the capsid with the highest level of curvature. The walls of lenacapavir-treated capsids were observed to flatten during early time points and fragment over the course of the experiment. This process is shown in the animation, created by Rachel Torrez in collaboration with Owen Pornillos (University of Utah). The animation was created using pdb_00009pry and pdb_00009y7j and their corresponding models in the EM Data Bank, EMD-71816 and EMD-72657.
Researchers found that treatment of intact HIV capsids with lenacapavir causes capsids to rupture, with ruptures occurring first in areas of the capsid with the highest level of curvature. #ASBMB2026 #ASBMB26
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