Wendy J. Maury, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1988 |
Associate Professor of Microbiology Campus address: 3-750 BSB Mailing address: 51 Newton Rd. 3-750 Bowen Science Building Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone: 319-335-8021 Email: |
Regulation of enveloped virus entry and pathogenesis
A goal of our research is to understand how enveloped viral glycoproteins bind to and mediate entry into permissive cells. An appreciation of the cellular attachment factors, receptors and subsequent internalization pathways used by a virus to enter cells provides an avenue for the development of antiviral therapies. To this end, my laboratory studies two related lentiviruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) as well as the filoviruses, Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus. Our recent studies have helped to elucidate the endosomal pathways used by EIAV and filoviruses for entry and identified Ebola glycoprotein amino acids that are critical for Ebola virus internalization. In addition, we have recently identified a novel cell surface receptor for filoviruses. Several different approaches are currently being developed within the lab to block the entry of these viruses into target cells.
As a twist on this same theme, we have used the knowledge gained from our studies on virus glycoproteins to develop more efficient vectors for the delivery of therapeutic genes. A number of viral glycoproteins such as Ebola virus broadly enter a variety of different host cells and will readily incorporate onto the surface of viral vectors that can be used to deliver gene therapy. Through the identification of viral glycoprotein motifs that are important for mediating entry into cells, we are developing better viral vectors for genetic diseases.
Finally, in a related antiviral project on lentiviruses, the anti-HIV activities of constituents in Prunella vulgaris are being characterized. We have identified several closely related tannins found in Prunella vulgaris that are highly efficacious against HIV entry at low nanomolar concentrations. In collaborative efforts, synthetic analogs of these tannins have been identified that we are currently testing as effective antivirals and microbicides against HIV.
Additional Information
UI Carver College of Medicine Interview
Recent publications
Brindley MA, Hunt CL, Kondratowicz AS, Bowman J, Sinn PL, McCray PB Jr, Quinn K, Weller ML, Chiorini JA, Maury W. Tyrosine kinase receptor Axl enhances entry of Zaire ebolavirus without direct interactions with the viral glycoprotein. Virology. 2011 Jul 5; 415(2):83-94.
Kondratowicz AS, Lennemann NJ, Sinn PL, Davey RA, Hunt CL, Moller-Tank S, Meyerholz DK, Rennert P, Mullins RF, Brindley M, Sandersfeld LM, Quinn K, Weller M, McCray PB Jr, Chiorini J, Maury W. T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) is a receptor for Zaire Ebolavirus and Lake Victoria Marburgvirus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 May 17; 108(20):8426-31.
Oh C, Price J, Brindley MA, Widrlechner MP, Qu L, McCoy JA, Murphy P, Hauck C, Maury W. Inhibition of HIV-1 infection by aqueous extracts of Prunella vulgaris L. Virol J. 2011 Apr 23; 8:188.
Kraus GA, Mengwasser J, Maury W, Oh C. Synthesis of chroman aldehydes that inhibit HIV. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2011 Mar 1; 21(5):1399-401.
Hunt CL, Kolokoltsov AA, Davey RA, Maury W. The Tyro3 receptor kinase Axl enhances macropinocytosis of Zaire ebolavirus. J Virol. 2011 Jan; 85(1):334-47.
Quinn K, Brindley MA, Weller ML, Kaludov N, Kondratowicz A, Hunt CL, Sinn PL, McCray PB Jr, Stein CS, Davidson BL, Flick R, Mandell R, Staplin W, Maury W, Chiorini JA. Rho GTPases modulate entry of Ebola virus and vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotyped vectors. J Virol. 2009 Oct;83(19):10176-86.