Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid protein p24 (p24)

The Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid protein p24 (p24) is the primary structural component of the HIV-1 capsid, forming the cone-shaped shell that protects the viral RNA and replication enzymes [8, 18]. It is encoded by the viral gag gene and is produced through the proteolytic cleavage of the Pr55Gag polyprotein during the maturation of newly budded virions [17, 18]. p24 is essential for multiple stages of the HIV-1 life cycle, including the uncoating of the viral core, nuclear import of the pre-integration complex, and the assembly of new viral particles [1, 9]. Because of its involvement in both early and late replication phases, it has emerged as a potent therapeutic target for a new class of antiretrovirals known as capsid inhibitors [4, 11]. Lenacapavir, the first-in-class drug in this category, binds to the interface between p24 subunits, thereby stabilizing the capsid lattice and preventing the necessary structural transitions for infection [5, 9]. In clinical practice, the p24 antigen is a well-established biomarker used for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection, as it appears in the blood before the development of antibodies [6, 10]. Therapeutic challenges associated with targeting p24 include the potential for the emergence of resistance mutations, such as those at positions Q67 and N74, which can reduce drug susceptibility [4, 7].

Other names

Capsid proteinCAp24 antigenGag p24HIV-1 CA

Capsid inhibitor that interferes with multiple stages of the viral life cycle, including capsid-mediated nuclear uptake, virion assembly, and maturation [4, 9].