Binding

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The first of seven steps in the HIV life cycle. When HIV attacks a CD4 cell, the virus binds (attaches itself) to molecules on the surface of the CD4 cell: first a CD4 receptor and then either a CCR5 or CXCR4 coreceptor.

Related Term(s)
CCR5
CCR5 Antagonist
CXCR4
Life Cycle
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An HIV virus particle binds (attaches itself) to the surface of the CD4 cell through a CD4 receptor and a CCR5 or CXCR4 coreceptor.
Life cycle of HIV: 1) cell binding, 2) fusion, 3) reverse transcription, 4) Integration, 5) replication, 6) assembly, and 7) budding out.

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