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INTRODUCTION

In humans, chronic infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes a progressive depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, resulting in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

HIV-1 is a retrovirus that encodes numerous structural proteins, including the transmembrane enve­lope glycoprotein 160 (gp160) consisting of gp120 (the extracellular domain) and a 41 kDa anchor that holds the envelope at the cell surface. The gp120 plays an important and active role in the function and replication of HIV. The envelope gp120 recognizes and binds the CD4 and chemokine co-receptors, initiating infection of the recipient cell. The HIV gp120 is also responsible for signaling activation and death in bystander immune cells that do not become subsequently infected. Last, because the HIV gp120 is the main external identifier on the virus and activates immune cellular death in the host, the gp120 has been widely targeted for therapeutic and vaccine development. As such, substantial attention and investigation have centered on the characteristics and function of HIV-1 envelope gp120.

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Source: Badley A.D. (ed.). Cell Death During HIV Infection. Taylor & Francis,2006. — 511 p.. 2006
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