HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, group-specific antigen polyprotein, and polymerase polyprotein (Env, Gag, Pol)

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env), group-specific antigen polyprotein (Gag), and polymerase polyprotein (Pol) are the three principal gene products of HIV-1, encoding the critical structural, enzymatic, and entry machinery of the virus. Gag is responsible for virion assembly, genome packaging, and budding, and consists of matrix, capsid, nucleocapsid, and other domains that orchestrate assembly and release of infectious particles[1][2][6]. Pol encodes the enzymes protease, reverse transcriptase, RNase H, and integrase required for replication and integration of the viral genome[3][5]. Env encodes the viral envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41, which mediate viral attachment and fusion with host cells[1][4]. These proteins are essential for the HIV-1 life cycle and represent major therapeutic targets for antiretroviral drugs, vaccination, and entry– or maturation-blocking therapeutics. Notably, they are considered *distinct, individual targets* (Env, Gag, and Pol), and should not be grouped as a single target; this entry as written ("HIV-1 env, gag, and pol proteins") encompasses multiple molecular entities and thus is not adequately specific for most drug-target or structural biology applications[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

HIV-1 Env (gp160/gp120/gp41)HIV-1 Gag (group-specific antigen)HIV-1 Pol (viral polymerase)Envelope proteinGag polyproteinGag-Pol polyproteinPolymerase protein

Fusion inhibition (Env inhibitors); Maturation inhibition (Gag inhibitors); Inhibition of polymerase enzymatic activity (Pol inhibitors: protease, reverse transcriptase, integrase inhibitors)