HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 V2 loop deleted mutant (Env gp120 ΔV2)

The **HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 V2 loop deleted mutant** is a laboratory-engineered version of the gp120 subunit of the HIV-1 Env (envelope) glycoprotein in which the V2 variable loop sequence has been genetically removed. The gp120 protein normally mediates HIV-1 entry into host cells by binding to CD4 and a co-receptor (CCR5 or CXCR4), with the V2 loop playing a key role in masking critical conserved epitopes, contributing to immune evasion, and stabilizing trimeric Env structure. Deletion of the V2 loop results in increased exposure and accessibility of otherwise occluded neutralization epitopes, especially at the CD4 binding site and at specific regions of gp41. This makes the ΔV2 Env mutant a valuable tool in structural biology and HIV vaccine research (as an immunogen to elicit broader antibody responses), but the mutant is generally less stable and less efficient at mediating viral entry compared to wild-type Env. It is not itself a direct therapeutic target but is an important reagent for studying HIV Env biology and vaccine immunogen design[1][2][3][5][7].

Other names

gp120 V2-deleted mutantHIV-1 Env ΔV2gp120 ΔV2 mutant

Drugs or antibodies targeting this molecule inhibit HIV-1 entry by blocking receptor or co-receptor binding Broadly neutralizing antibodies bind newly exposed conserved sites when the V2 loop is deleted, enhancing neutralization