| abstract |
The present invention relates to chimeric molecules composed of viral coat sequences and receptor sequences that have the ability to form complexes by interaction and to bind co-receptors. The chimeric molecule exhibits the functional properties of the receptor-coat protein complex and is also useful as a substance that binds to a co-receptor present in the cell and inhibits the virus from infecting the cell. In particular, chimeric polypeptides include envelope polypeptides of immunodeficiency viruses such as envelope polypeptides of HN, SN, FIV, FeL, V, FPV and herpes virus. Suitable for use as the receptor sequence included in the chimeric polypeptide are, for example, CD4D1D2 and CD4M9 sequences. |