CCR5 use by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is associated closely with the gp120 V3 loop N-linked glycosylation site

• Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enters cells through the chemokine receptors CCR5 (R5 virus) and/or CXCR4 (X4 virus). Loss of N-linked glycans and increased net charge of the third variable loop (V3) of the gp120 envelope glycoprotein have been observed to be important steps towards CXCR4 use. All reported sequences using CCR5 or CXCR4 exclusively, or using both, were gathered from the Los Alamos HIV Database and analysed with regard to the V3 N-linked glycosylation motifs (sequons) and charge. The V3 loop glycan had a sensitivity of 0·98 and a 0·92 positive predictive value in the context of CCR5 use. The difference from X4 was remarkable (P<10−12). Especially, the sequon motif NNT within the V3 loop was conserved in 99·2 % of the major clades. The results suggest a close association between the V3 loop glycan and CCR5 use and may provide new insight into HIV-1 tropism and help to improve phenotype-prediction models.

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