Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope glycoprotein gp36 (gp36)

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope glycoprotein gp36 is a transmembrane glycoprotein located on the surface of HIV-2 viral particles. Analogous to gp41 in HIV-1, gp36 forms a noncovalent complex with the surface glycoprotein gp105, together constituting the HIV-2 envelope (Env) protein. gp36 is essential for promoting the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane upon binding to host cell receptors (CD4 and coreceptors such as CCR5 or CXCR4). This fusion is critical for viral entry and infection initiation. Structurally, gp36 contains conserved regions that are crucial for forming a helical bundle driving the fusion process, and is a major immunodominant region recognized by patient antibodies in serological diagnostics. While not the target of any currently approved HIV-2-specific drugs, it remains a potential drug and vaccine target due to its key role in infection dynamics and immune response[1][2][5][6].

Other names

HIV-2 gp36HIV type 2 transmembrane glycoprotein gp36

Inhibition of membrane fusion between virus and host (by peptides or small molecules that mimic/target gp36 heptad repeat regions as in gp41 inhibitors for HIV-1)[1][2][7].