HIV-1 Capsid protein (p24) (p24)

HIV-1 Capsid protein (p24) is a vital structural component of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1, forming the protective shell around the viral RNA genome (UniProt: P04591). It is produced by the cleavage of the Gag polyprotein by viral protease during the maturation process. Beyond its structural role, p24 is essential for viral uncoating, nuclear import of the pre-integration complex, and late-stage virion assembly (PubMed: 32612211). In clinical diagnostics, p24 is a key biomarker used to detect early HIV infection before the development of antibodies (CDC: HIV Testing). From a therapeutic perspective, p24 is the target of a new class of antiretrovirals known as capsid inhibitors, such as lenacapavir (FDA: Sunlenca). These drugs bind to the p24 subunits, disrupting the stability of the capsid and preventing the virus from completing its replication cycle. Additionally, p24 is a major focus of vaccine research because it contains conserved epitopes that can trigger robust T-cell mediated immune responses. However, the high mutation rate of HIV-1 can lead to resistance against capsid-targeting agents, posing a challenge for long-term treatment efficacy (PubMed: 35313301).

Other names

HIV-1 CACapsid proteinGag-p24HIV-1 p24 antigen

Capsid inhibition (interference with capsid-mediated nuclear import, virion assembly, and capsid disassembly)