HIV Type-O gp41

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). The virus has several subtypes, including HIV-1 and HIV-2, with HIV-1 being the most prevalent. HIV-1 is further classified into groups M, N, O, and P. Group O (Outlier) is less common and primarily found in West and Central Africa.

Gp41 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is part of the envelope protein complex of HIV. It plays a crucial role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells. The envelope protein complex consists of gp120 and gp41, which are derived from the precursor protein gp160. Gp160 is cleaved by the host cell’s protease, furin, into gp120 and gp41 .

Gp41 is responsible for mediating the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane, a critical step in the viral entry process. It contains several important regions, including the ectodomain, transmembrane domain, and cytoplasmic domain .

The HIV Type-O gp41 recombinant protein is a laboratory-engineered version of the gp41 protein from the HIV-1 Group O subtype. This recombinant protein typically includes immunodominant regions of gp41 and is often fused with other proteins, such as Beta-galactosidase, to facilitate its study and use in research .

Gp41 is a significant target for HIV research and vaccine development due to its essential role in viral entry and its relatively conserved nature compared to gp120. The recombinant form of gp41 allows researchers to study its structure, function, and interactions with other molecules in detail. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic agents against HIV .