Human immunodeficiency virus structural proteins (HIV structural proteins)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) structural proteins are the essential components encoded by the gag, pol, and env genes that facilitate the virus's life cycle, from entry to maturation (NIH). The Gag polyprotein is processed into the matrix, capsid, and nucleocapsid proteins, which form the viral core and shell (UniProt). The Pol polyprotein encodes the vital enzymes—protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase—required for replicating the viral genome and inserting it into the host DNA (PubMed). The Env polyprotein is cleaved into gp120 and gp41, which mediate attachment and fusion with host CD4+ T cells (StatPearls). These proteins are the primary targets for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has transformed HIV/AIDS into a manageable chronic condition (CDC). Drugs targeting these proteins include protease inhibitors, integrase strand transfer inhibitors, and entry inhibitors, though the emergence of drug-resistant mutations remains a significant therapeutic challenge (NIH).

Other names

HIV-1 Gag-Pol polyproteinHIV-1 Envelope glycoproteinGagPolEnvPr55Gaggp160

Inhibition of viral entry (fusion and attachment), inhibition of reverse transcription, inhibition of proviral DNA integration, inhibition of proteolytic polyprotein processing, and inhibition of capsid assembly/disassembly.