Gp120, HIV-1 MN

The HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein, a glycoprotein that is part of the outer layer of the virus, is an essential component in the multi-tiered viral entry process. It presents itself as viral membrane spikes consisting of 3 molecules of gp120 linked together and anchored to the membrane by gp41 protein. Gp120 is essential for viral infection as it facilitates HIV entry into the host cell and this is its best-known and most researched role in HIV infection. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that gp120 might also be facilitating viral persistence and continuing HIV infection by influencing the T cell immune response to the virus. The surface protein gp120 attaches the virus to the host lymphoid cell by binding to the primary receptor CD4.