Patent ID: 7297476
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of screening for a compound that modulates viral assembly and maturation comprising the steps of: maintaining a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid protein in solution; rapidly increasing salt concentration in said solution in the presence of a candidate compound or a control compound, wherein said HIV-1 capsid protein is capable of self-assembling upon said salt concentration increase in the presence of said control compound but not said candidate compound, and wherein said solution after said salt concentration increase comprises at least 1 M sodium salt; and monitoring assembly of said HIV-1 capsid protein in the presence of said candidate compound, wherein an increase or decrease of assembly of said HIV-1 capsid protein in the presence of said candidate compound compared to said control compound indicates said candidate compound promotes or inhibits HIV-1 assembly respectively.