Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag-Pol polyprotein (Gag-Pol polyprotein)

The HIV type 1 Gag-Pol polyprotein is a multifunctional protein precursor produced by ribosomal frameshift during viral replication[5]. It contains both the structural proteins (matrix, capsid, nucleocapsid) and all key viral enzymes (protease, reverse transcriptase, integrase). Gag-Pol is essential for virion assembly, maturation, and infectivity. During virus release, the embedded protease cleaves Gag and Gag-Pol into their mature forms, triggering structural transitions critical for infectious virus formation[1][2][3][4]. The ratio of Gag to Gag-Pol is tightly regulated for efficient viral propagation[6]. Because it encodes the major enzymatic targets for antiretroviral drugs—protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase—it is a prime therapeutic target in HIV infection, with numerous drugs developed to inhibit these activities[5][4]. Resistance mutations in Gag-Pol, particularly in cleavage sites, play a key role in treatment failure and are closely monitored in clinical contexts[4]. The complex structure and multifaceted roles of Gag-Pol are central to HIV-1 viability and pathogenesis.

Other names

Pr160Gag-PolHIV-1 Gag-Pol polyproteinHIV type 1 gag-pol polyproteinGag-Pol (most common abbreviation)Group specific antigen-pol polyprotein

Inhibition of protease activity, preventing cleavage and maturation of viral proteins; Inhibition of reverse transcriptase, blocking viral RNA-to-DNA conversion; Inhibition of integrase, preventing integration of viral DNA into the host genome; Blockade of specific cleavage, impeding virion maturation.