Human immunodeficiency virus group-specific antigen Gag protein (Gag)

The human immunodeficiency virus group-specific antigen Gag protein (Gag) is a multidomain, multifunctional structural polyprotein essential for HIV particle assembly, budding, and maturation[1][3][4][6]. Gag consists of several domains: matrix (MA), capsid (CA), nucleocapsid (NC), and two small spacer peptides (SP1, SP2), plus the p6 peptide at the C-terminus[1][3][4][6][7][8]. During viral assembly, Gag multimerizes at the plasma membrane, encapsidating viral RNA and forming the immature viral lattice, which is later processed by the viral protease to yield the mature capsid and associated proteins[1][3][4][6]. This maturation is required for the virion to become infectious. Gag is a key therapeutic target for HIV drugs that aim to interfere with viral assembly or maturation. The p24 subdomain (part of CA) is commonly used as a laboratory biomarker for HIV detection and monitoring[6][8].

Other names

HIV Gag proteinGroup-specific antigen (gag)Gag polyproteinHIV-1 Gag

Inhibition of Gag maturation (by blocking proteolytic cleavage or multimerization, preventing formation of infectious virion[1][2]); Disruption of Gag lattice assembly (prevents particle budding and infectivity[1][3][4])