Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 glycoprotein 41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) (MPER)

The Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) glycoprotein 41 (gp41) membrane-proximal external region (MPER) is a highly conserved, tryptophan-rich segment of the gp41 transmembrane glycoprotein located immediately adjacent to the viral lipid bilayer (PMID: 23021216). It plays a pivotal role in the late stages of HIV-1 entry by facilitating the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell plasma membrane (PMID: 15705853). Because of its critical function and high degree of sequence conservation across diverse HIV-1 strains, the MPER is a primary target for the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) and entry-inhibitor vaccines (PMID: 25184711). Several potent bNAbs, such as 10E8, 4E10, and 2F5, have been identified that bind to this region, effectively blocking viral infection by preventing the conformational changes required for fusion (PMID: 23021216, PMID: 15705853). However, the MPER's proximity to the viral membrane and its transient exposure during the fusion process present significant challenges for therapeutic interventions (PMID: 28288131). Additionally, some MPER-targeting antibodies exhibit autoreactivity with host lipids, which poses a potential safety concern for vaccine design (PMID: 15705853).

Other names

gp41 MPERMembrane-proximal external regionHIV-1 gp41 MPERHIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41 MPER

Neutralization of HIV-1 by binding to the gp41 MPER and inhibiting the fusion of the viral and host cell membranes.