HIV envelope glycoprotein gp41 (gp41)

HIV envelope glycoprotein gp41 is a transmembrane subunit of the HIV envelope protein complex (Env), which is cleaved from its precursor gp160 alongside surface subunit gp120[1][4][6][7]. Gp41 anchors Env to the viral membrane and mediates the fusion of HIV and host cell membranes, a critical step for viral entry and infection[2][3][5]. Upon binding of gp120 to CD4 and a co-receptor on the target cell, gp41 undergoes extensive conformational changes, exposing its fusion peptide and driving the merger of viral and cellular membranes through formation of a six-helix bundle[4][5][6]. Gp41 is a major therapeutic target, with fusion inhibitors such as enfuvirtide clinically approved to block HIV entry[1][5][6]. Its structure includes conserved heptad repeat regions that are essential for the fusion process and for inhibitor binding[2][3][4][5]. Gp41 also includes a membrane-proximal external region (MPER) targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies, but high glycosylation and sequence variability contribute to immune evasion challenges[1][4][5].

Other names

glycoprotein 41HIV-1 gp41HIV-1 envelope transmembrane glycoproteinTM subunit of HIV Env

Fusion inhibitor (binds gp41 and prevents formation of the six-helix bundle essential for membrane fusion)