The Help Library / Targets
Targets:
Targets:
Matrix
Proteins associated with the inner surface of the lipid bilayer of the viral envelope. These proteins have been implicated in control of viral transcription and may possibly serve as the "glue" that binds the nucleocapsid to the appropriate membrane site during viral budding from the host cell.
RNA Binding Protein
Proteins which bind to RNA molecules. Certain structure motifs are common to several of the proteins, such as arginine (Arg)-rich tracts, typically consisting of alternating Arg-Asp, Arg-Ser, or Arg-Gly residues. These proteins also tend to have a common ribonucleotide sequence domain.
The first drugs made available for clinical use were inhibitors of the HIV reverse transcriptase. Before the virus can be integrated into the host cell genome DNA, a copy of the viral RNA has to be formed (proviral DNA). This is regulated by the specific HIV DNA polymerase: reverse transcriptase. If a DNA copy is not formed, the viral RNA genome becomes susceptible to destruction by cellular enzymes.
A ribonuclease that specifically cleaves the RNA moiety of RNA:DNA hybrids. It has been isolated from a wide variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms (particularly calf thymus) as well as retroviruses.
An HIV enzyme used to cut large HIV proteins into smaller ones needed for the assembly of an infectious virus particle.
External envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus which is encoded by the HIV env gene. It has a molecular weight of 120 kD and contains numerous glycosylation sites. Gp120 binds to cells expressing CD4 cell-surface antigens, most notably T4-lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Gp120 has been shown to interfere with the normal function of CD4 and is at least partly responsible for the cytopathic effect of HIV.
Transmembrane envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus which is encoded by the HIV env gene. It has a molecular weight of 41,000 and is glycosylated. The N-terminal part of gp41 is thought to be involved in cell fusion with the CD4 antigens of T4 lymphocytes, leading to syncytial formation. Gp41 is one of the most common HIV antigens detected by immunoblotting.
An enzyme that inserts DNA into the host genome. It is encoded by the pol gene of retroviruses and also by temperate bacteriophages, the best known being bacteriophage lambda.
A protein-nucleic acid complex which forms part or all of a virion. It consists of a CAPSID plus enclosed nucleic acid. Depending on the virus, the nucleocapsid may correspond to a naked core or be surrounded by a membranous envelope.