Table 1.
Functions of HIV-1 proteins.
| Gene | Size of Proteins | Protein | Function | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Proteins Proteins | gag | Pr55Gag | precursor of the inner structural proteins | |
| p24 | capsid protein (CA) | forms the conical capsid | ||
| p17 | matrix protein (MA) | forms the inner membrane layer | ||
| p7 | nucleoprotein (NC) | forms the nucleoprotein–RNA complex | ||
| P6 | 52aa precursor of Pr55Gag | involved in virus particle release | ||
| pol | Pr160GagPol | precursor of the viral enzymes | ||
| p10 | protease (PR) | release of structural proteins and viral enzymes | ||
| p51 | reverse transcriptase (RT) | transcription of HIV RNA in proviral DNA | ||
| p15 (66) | RNase H | degrade viral RNA | ||
| p32 | integrase (IN) | integrates proviral DNA into the host genome | ||
| env | PrGp160 | precursor of the envelope proteins SU and TM | ||
| gp120 | surface glycoprotein (SU) | attaches the virus to the target cell | ||
| gp41 | transmembrane protein (TM) | fusion of viral and cell membranes | ||
| Regulatory Proteins | Tat | p14 | transactivator protein | activates the transcription of viral genes |
| rev | p19 | RNA splicing regulator | regulates the export of non-spliced and partially spliced viral mRNA | |
| Tev | p26 | tat/rev protein | Tat-Env-Rev fusion protein regulates the activity of Tat and Rev in the nucleus | |
| Accessory Proteins | nef | p27 | negative regulating factor | affects HIV replication, enhancement of infectivity of viral particles |
| vif | p23 | viral infectivity protein | infectious virus production | |
| vpr | p15 | virus protein r | facilitates virus infectivity, affects the cell cycle | |
| vpu | p16 | virus protein unique | virus particle release, regulates intracellular trafficking. | |
| vpx | p15 | virus protein x | involved in early steps of virus replication of HIV-2 |