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Structure of HIV

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

HIV has an envelope composed of membrane derived from the host cell and two virus-encoded proteins gp41 & gp120:

  • gp41:
    • is the transmembrane envelope glycoprotein
    • binds gp120 and p17

  • gp120:
    • binds non-covalently to gp41
    • is the receptor for CD4, being involved in entry of HIV into susceptible cells

p17 matrix protein lines the inner surface of the viral membrane and anchors the overlying p41.

p24 capsid protein forms part of the RNA-containing core of HIV. p9 coats the diploid RNA genome. The capsid contains enzymatic proteins including reverse transcriptase and integrase.

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