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Human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus env proteins possess a functionally
R W Doms1, P L Earl, S Chakrabarti
1Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Abstract:
The envelope (env) glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2) form dimers shortly after synthesis. Analysis of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) env protein expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus revealed that it, too, forms stable homodimers. When the HIV-1 and SIV env proteins or the HIV-1 and HIV-2 env proteins were coexpressed in the same cells, heterodimers were formed. Thus, the env proteins of HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV possess a functionally conserved domain involved in subunit-subunit recognition and assembly that likely involves the ectodomain of gp41.