CHARACTERISTICS OF HIV-1 GP120 GLYCOPROTEIN BINDING TO GLYCOLIPIDS

We examined the binding of the gp120 envelope glycoprotein (gp120) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) to sulfatide (GalS), galactoc erebroside (GalC), and GM1-ganglioside (GM1). The gp120 glycoprotein b ound to GalS but not to GalC or GM1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent ass ay (ELISA) and by an immunospot assay on nitrocellulose paper. However , it bound to all three glycolipids by an immunospot assay on thin lay er chromotography (TLC) plates. In studies to determine whether GalS c ould be a receptor for gp120 on the surface of cells, gp120 bound to G alS incorporated into the plasma membrane of lymphoid cells as determi ned by cytofluorometric analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy. Th ese studies indicate that GalS may function as a receptor for gp120 an d HIV-1. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.