HIV-1 p24, His
Description
Product Specs
KNWMTETL.
Product Science Overview
The HIV-1 p24 protein is a crucial component of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). It plays a significant role in the virus’s structure and lifecycle. The recombinant form of this protein, tagged with a histidine (His) tag, is widely used in research and diagnostic applications.
The p24 protein is encoded by the gag gene of HIV-1. This gene produces a precursor protein known as Pr55Gag, which is cleaved by the viral protease (PR) to generate several proteins, including p17, p24, p7, and p6 . The p24 protein is a major structural component of the viral core and is essential for virus particle assembly .
Recombinant proteins are produced through genetic engineering techniques, where the gene encoding the protein of interest is inserted into an expression system, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. For HIV-1 p24, the gene is often expressed in E. coli . The recombinant p24 protein is then purified using various chromatography techniques.
A His tag is a sequence of histidine residues (usually six) added to either the N- or C-terminus of a protein. This tag facilitates the purification of the recombinant protein through affinity chromatography, as histidine residues have a high affinity for nickel ions. The His tag allows for efficient and straightforward purification of the recombinant HIV-1 p24 protein .
The recombinant HIV-1 p24 protein, with its His tag, is used in various research and diagnostic applications:
- Vaccine Development: Due to its high degree of sequence conservation between different HIV-1 isolates, p24 is used in clinical trials as a component of HIV-1 vaccines .
- Diagnostic Assays: The p24 protein is used in diagnostic assays to detect HIV-1 infection. Its presence in blood samples can indicate active viral replication.
- Research: Researchers use recombinant p24 to study the virus’s structure, assembly, and lifecycle. It is also used to develop and test antiviral drugs.
