Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid which comprises a nucleotide segment having a sequence encoding a viral envelope protein comprising a viral surface protein and a corresponding viral transmembrane protein wherein the viral envelope protein contains one or more mutations in amino acid sequence that enhance the stability of the complex formed between the viral surface protein and transmembrane protein. This invention also provides a viral envelope protein comprising a viral surface protein and a corresponding viral transmembrane protein wherein the viral envelope protein contains one or more mutations in amino acid sequence that enhance the stability of the complex formed between the viral surface protein and transmembrane protein. This invention further provides methods of treating HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: This invention provides a DNA which upon transcription produces an RNA encoding a modified HIV-1 gp140 polypeptide, which polypeptide upon cleavage produces a modified gp120 and a modified ectodomain of gp41 which together form a complex exhibiting enhanced binding to HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and reduced binding to HIV-1 non-neutralizing antibodies, wherein the modifications comprise an A492C mutation in gp120 and a T596C mutation in gp41, said mutations being numbered by reference to the HIV-1 isolate JR-FL, and resulting in a disulfide bond between gp120 and ectodomain gp41 which stabilizes the otherwise non-covalent gp120-gp41 interaction.

Abstract: This invention provides a polypeptide comprising a fragment of a chemokine receptor capable of inhibiting HIV-1 infection. In an embodiment, the chemokine receptor is C—C CKR-5. In another embodiment, the fragment comprises at least one extracellular domain of the chemokine receptor C—C CKR-5. This invention further provides different uses of the chemokine receptor for inhibiting HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid which comprises a nucleotide segment having a sequence encoding a viral envelope protein comprising a viral surface protein and a corresponding viral transmembrane protein wherein the viral envelope protein contains one or more mutations in amino acid sequence that enhance the stability of the complex formed between the viral surface protein and transmembrane protein. This invention also provides a viral envelope protein comprising a viral surface protein and a corresponding viral transmembrane protein wherein the viral envelope protein contains one or more mutations in amino acid sequence that enhance the stability of the complex formed between the viral surface protein and transmembrane protein. This invention further provides methods of treating HIV-1 infection.