Investigating the Role of the Novel ESCRT-III Recruiter CCDC11 in HIV Budding: Identifying a Potential Target for Antiviral Therapy

Project Description

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nearly 37 million people are infected with HIV worldwide, and 1 million people die of AIDS-related illnesses each year. As of today, there is no cure, and current medications are frequently associated with severe side effects. To discover a novel target for anti-HIV therapies, we studied the role of coiled-coil domain-containing 11 (CCDC11) in HIV formation. Our data suggest that CCDC11 is required for efficient release of HIV particles from the cell surface potentially through recruitment of the membrane scission machinery called ESCRT-III. Given the fact that CCDC11 is not present in the majority of adult human organs, it might be a viable target for potential antiviral therapeutics.