HIV-1 Envelope glycoprotein gp160

Glycoprotein 160 (gp160) is the precursor envelope protein of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). It is synthesized as a single polypeptide that is subsequently cleaved by a host cell protease (furin) into two subunits: the surface glycoprotein gp120 and the transmembrane glycoprotein gp41. Both gp120 (responsible for binding to the CD4 receptor and co-receptors on host cells) and gp41 (responsible for mediating fusion of the viral and host cell membranes) are essential for viral entry and are major targets for vaccine and antiviral drug development.