Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
Open Access

Unrevealing (un)folding pathways of the Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (HIV1-PR) at single molecule level using optical tweezers

International Conference and Exhibition on Lasers, Optics & Photonics

October 07-09, 2013 Hilton San Antonio Airport, TX, USA

I. Valpapuram, P. Sonar, M. Caldarini, D. Tavella, C. Volonte, V. Pandini, M. A. Vanoni, A. Aliverti, R. A. Broglia, G. Tiana3 and C. Cecconi

Accepted Abstracts: J Phys Chem Biophys

Abstract :

Understanding protein folding and unfolding of the Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (HIV1-PR) at single molecule level is a challenging mission for both experiments and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. In the present study, we proposed a novel folding mechanisms using optical tweezers (OT) and MD simulations. Our results confirm that the HIV1-PR reveal multiple pathways through different intermediate on their journey to native state. These include HIV1-PR unfold and refold at high forces. The characterized pathways provide precious information for the design of novel and effective anti-HIV drug.

Biography :

I. Valpapuram is working as a postdoc at King Abdulla University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KSA. Project: ?Optical tweezers studies of DNA unzipping and replication at single molecule level? June 2013. Postdoc at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy; Project: ?Energy landscape and inhibition of the folding process of the HIV-1 protease through single molecule manipulation using optical tweezers? 2012-2013. Ph.D. in Physical Sciences at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy; Thesis: ?Single molecule optical tweezers studies of the unfolding/refolding processes of Acyl-Coenzyme A Binding Protein? 2009-2012. Advance Masters in Nanophysics at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, Thesis: ?Time resolved photoluminescence investigation of charge transfer in organic solar cell materials with novel conjugated polymers? 2008.