HIV-1 p24, Biotin

HIV-1 p24 is a core protein of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1), which plays a crucial role in the virus’s structure and replication. The recombinant form of this protein, labeled with biotin, is widely used in various research and diagnostic applications due to its high specificity and stability.

The HIV-1 p24 recombinant protein is typically expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) systems. It is a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of approximately 39 kDa. The biotin-labeled version of this protein includes the immunodominant regions of HIV-1 p24, spanning amino acids 77-436 . This recombinant protein is often fused to beta-galactosidase at the N-terminus, which aids in its detection and quantification .

The HIV-1 p24 recombinant protein is purified to a high degree, with a purity greater than 95% as determined by SDS-PAGE . It is typically formulated in a sterile filtered, colorless clear solution containing 8M urea, 20mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), and 10mM beta-mercaptoethanol . This formulation ensures the protein’s stability and activity during storage and use.

The biotin-labeled HIV-1 p24 recombinant protein is highly immunoreactive with sera from HIV-1 infected individuals, making it an excellent antigen for early detection of HIV seroconvertors . It is commonly used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Western blotting techniques to detect and quantify HIV-1 p24 antigen levels . These applications are critical for monitoring HIV infection and evaluating the efficacy of antiretroviral therapies.

The stability of the HIV-1 p24 recombinant protein is maintained at 4°C for up to one week. For long-term storage, it is recommended to store the protein below -18°C to prevent degradation and maintain its immunoreactivity . It is essential to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as they can negatively impact the protein’s stability and functionality .