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How a Virus Exploits Membrane Receptors

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A virus can enter a cell by binding a cell-surface receptor the cell normally uses for another purpose, exploiting an existing doorway.

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HIV binds the CD4 receptor on T-helper cells, hijacking a doorway normally used for immune signaling to enter and infect the cell.

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The receptor's normal job is recognition, per Bio 0327 — the virus exploits an existing doorway.

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