HIV-2 Envelope
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) is a member of the retrovirus family, which is characterized by the presence of a viral reverse transcriptase enzyme that transcribes viral RNA into DNA. This DNA is then integrated into the host cell’s genome. HIV-2 is less pathogenic compared to HIV-1 and is primarily found in West Africa, with some cases reported in India and Europe .
The envelope protein of HIV-2, known as gp36, is analogous to the gp41 protein found in HIV-1. The envelope protein plays a crucial role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells. It is involved in the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane, facilitating the entry of the viral genome into the host cell .
Recombinant HIV-2 Envelope proteins are produced using recombinant DNA technology. These proteins are typically expressed in bacterial systems such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). The recombinant HIV-2 Envelope protein is a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 135 amino acids, with a molecular mass of approximately 16.1 kDa .
The gene encoding the recombinant HIV-2 Envelope protein is synthesized using codons optimized for expression in E. coli. This recombinant protein includes all the reported immunogenic determinants found in the native gp36 protein. The recombinant HIV-2 Envelope protein is purified using proprietary chromatographic techniques to achieve a purity of over 97% .
Recombinant HIV-2 Envelope proteins are used in various research applications, including:
- Vaccine Development: These proteins are used to study the immune response and to develop potential vaccines against HIV-2.
- Diagnostic Tools: They are used in the development of diagnostic assays to detect HIV-2 infections.
- Basic Research: Recombinant proteins are used to study the structure and function of the HIV-2 envelope protein, as well as its interactions with host cell receptors .
