Abstract: This invention provides methods for producing a membrane-bound protein in mammalian cells. This invention also provides nucleic acids for making novel fusion proteins (e.g., GPCR fusion proteins). This invention further provides related bacterial expression vectors; expression methods; fusion proteins; bacterial cells; GPCR vector screens; bacterial spheroplasts; methods for making anti-GPCR antibodies; and GPCR binding screens. This invention also provides a method for identifying a reagent in which a membrane protein is likely to crystallize. Finally, this invention provides methods for producing crystals of a protein which, in a cell, is a membrane-bound protein.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying a compound which inhibits HIV-1 entry into a cell. This invention also provides a compound which inhibits the cavity binding interaction between HIV-1 gp120 and CD4. This invention further provides a method of inhibiting HIV-1 infection of a cell, a method of preventing HIV-1 infection in a subject and a method of treating HIV-1 infection in a subject comprising contacting the cell or administering to the subject an amount of the compound which inhibits the cavity binding interaction between HIV-1 gp120 and CD4 effective to inhibit HIV-1 infection, thereby inhibiting HIV-1 infection of the cell, preventing HIV-1 infection in the subject and treating HIV-1 infection in the subject.