HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer (HIV-1 Env trimer)

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer is the only viral protein on the surface of the HIV-1 virion. It is a trimer of gp120-gp41 heterodimers, heavily glycosylated, and responsible for both recognition of host CD4 and chemokine (CCR5/CXCR4) receptors and for catalyzing the fusion of viral and host membranes, enabling entry of the virus into target cells. Env undergoes dramatic conformational changes upon receptor binding, triggering the fusion process. Its strong sequence variability and dense glycan shield complicate vaccine design and therapeutic targeting, but it is the sole specific target for broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies, making it central to both immunological research and clinical development in HIV/AIDS

Other names

HIV-1 Env trimerHIV-1 envelope spikegp120/gp41 trimerEnv spiketrimeric Env

Inhibition of Env-mediated membrane fusion (fusion inhibitors)\nNeutralization of Env’s ability to bind CD4 and co-receptors (monoclonal antibodies)\nSteric blockade or stabilization of pre-fusion conformations