Impact of the enfuvirtide resistance mutation N43D and the associated baseline polymorphism E137K on peptide sensitivity and six-helix bundle structure

The detailed studies of the mechanism by which resistance mutations decrease sensitivity to enfuvirtide (ENF), the first human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV 1) fusion inhibitor peptides and alter six-helix bundle structure are reported. The data obtained for a framework to understand the impact of resistance mutations on viral fitness and pathogenesis and provide a pathway for the development of new fusion inhibitor peptides.