HIV-1 Gag polyprotein (HIV-1 Gag)

HIV-1 Gag polyprotein (group-specific antigen) is the principal structural protein of HIV-1 and a critical element in the viral life cycle[1][2][3][4][5][6][8]. Gag is expressed as a 55 kDa precursor (Pr55^Gag^), comprised of the matrix (MA, p17), capsid (CA, p24), nucleocapsid (NC, p7), p6, and spacer peptides SP1 and SP2[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Gag directs viral particle assembly, multimerizes at the plasma membrane, packages the viral RNA genome, and recruits cellular ESCRT machinery for budding. Cleavage by the HIV protease during or after budding yields mature structural proteins (MA, CA, NC, p6) required for infectivity. Drugs that target Gag aim to disrupt these processes, notably viral maturation, but their use in clinical settings remains limited due to resistance and pharmacological challenges. Gag proteins or their processed forms (such as p24) are key biomarkers in HIV diagnostics and research[4][6][8].

Other names

Group-specific antigenPr55^Gag^gag polyproteingag protein

Inhibition of Gag cleavage by viral protease (prevents maturation); Interference with Gag multimerization or RNA encapsidation