Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) is one of the two main types of HIV, the other being HIV-1. HIV-2 is less transmissible and progresses more slowly than HIV-1. It is primarily found in West Africa but has spread to other regions as well. The virus is transmitted through exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk .
The gp32 protein is an immunodominant region of the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein. It plays a crucial role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells and is a key target for immune responses .
Recombinant proteins are produced by inserting the gene encoding the protein of interest into a host cell, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. The host cells then express the protein, which can be harvested and purified for various applications. Recombinant proteins are widely used in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics .
The HIV-2 gp32 recombinant protein contains the full-length sequence of the HIV-2 envelope immunodominant regions. It is typically produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and is fused with beta-galactosidase at the N-terminus. This fusion protein has a molecular weight of approximately 32 kDa .
The recombinant gp32 protein is used in various applications, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Western blotting, to detect antibodies against HIV-2 in patient samples. It is also used in research to study the structure and function of the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein .
Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is an enzyme commonly used in biochemistry applications. It catalyzes the oxidation of various substrates, resulting in a detectable color change. HRP is often conjugated to antibodies or proteins to facilitate their detection in assays such as ELISA, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blotting .
HRP-labeled proteins are advantageous because they provide a strong signal, are stable, and are relatively inexpensive. The enzyme label can be visualized through chromogenic reactions, such as the conversion of diaminobenzidine (DAB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to a brown pigment .
The HIV-2 gp32 recombinant protein can be labeled with HRP to enhance its detection in various assays. The HRP-labeled gp32 protein retains the immunodominant regions of the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein, allowing it to react with antibodies against HIV-2 in patient samples. This makes it a valuable tool for diagnostic tests and research studies .
The HRP-labeled gp32 protein is typically supplied as a sterile, filtered, colorless clear solution. It is formulated in a buffer containing sodium carbonate, EDTA, beta-mercaptoethanol, and sarcosyl. The protein is stable at room temperature for short periods but should be stored at 4°C for long-term stability .
The HIV-2 gp32 recombinant, HRP-labeled protein is used in various applications, including:
The benefits of using HRP-labeled gp32 protein include: