The HIV-1 surface receptor complex (Envelope) consists of a protein comprising 2 glycoproteins, gp120 and gp41.

 

The latter are assembled into a heterodimeric form through noncovalent association, with the membrane-embedded gp41 anchoring gp120 to the viral surface.

 

gp120 interacts with the host cell receptor, CD4, as the first point of contact during viral entry.

 

Thereafter, the fusogenic activity of gp41 is required to mediate fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, allowing internalisation of the viral capsid.

 

Due to the highly immunogenic character of the HIV Envelope proteins, robust host antibody responses against the HIV Envelope proteins develop soon after acute infection, and recombinant forms of gp41 have thus found a valuable application as antigens for capturing anti-HIV antibodies in HIV diagnostic assays.

 

Furthermore, the critical role played by gp41 in viral entry has rendered this protein an increasingly valuable drug target.

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