HIV1 p24 Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV1), a member of the retrovirus family, affects the human immune system, resulting in AIDS. The virus carries an RNA genome that undergoes reverse transcription into DNA, integrating into host cellular DNA. HIV1 infection evolves through distinct clinical phases, progressively weakening immune defenses and increasing vulnerability to opportunistic pathogens. Central to viral architecture is the p24 capsid protein, a structural cornerstone critical for maintaining virion stability. This multifunctional protein actively participates in pivotal lifecycle stages, including host cell entry and progeny virion release.

Fig. 1 The HIV capsid consisting of the p24 protein.Distributed under CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wiki, without modification.

HIV1 p24 Structure and Characteristics

HIV1 p24 is a ~24 kDa protein encoded by the gag gene. p24 is divided into two regions: the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the C-terminal domain (CTD). The NTD has an assembly of alpha-helical regions paired with a unique beta-hairpin structure, which supports the creation of hexagonal lattices via interactions between adjacent subunits. The CTD assumes an alpha-helical structure, promoting dimer formation. This dimerization facilitates interactions between nearby hexamers, hence increasing the stability of the capsid framework.

These structural intricacies directly enable p24's functional versatility, governing processes from nuclear import to viral maturation. While p24 exhibits high sequence conservation across HIV1 clades—preserving core structural roles—regional polymorphisms influence host factor engagement and immune evasion tactics, presenting challenges for therapeutic targeting.

Fig. 2 Structure of HIV1 capsid A with the N and C-terminal domains.Distributed under CC BY 4.0, from Wiki, without modification.

p24 in the HIV Replicative Process

• Fusion: Viral entry initiates when the HIV1 envelope fuses with host cell membranes, discharging capsid complexes containing the viral genome and associated enzymes like reverse transcriptase into the cytoplasm. As a primary structural constituent, p24 forms the capsid's framework during this transmission phase.
• Reverse Transcription: Following cytoplasmic entry, reverse transcriptase catalyzes genomic RNA conversion into double-stranded DNA. The p24-constructed capsid mediates spatial regulation of this process by escorting viral components from peripheral cytoplasmic regions to nuclear entry sites. Simultaneously, it obscures viral genetic material from host restriction mechanisms while permitting selective molecular exchange through its lattice, ensuring uninterrupted reverse transcription.
• Assembly: During late-stage virion production, p24 orchestrates structural coalescence by interacting with accessory viral elements to configure precursor capsid matrices.
• Budding: Final viral egress involves membrane extrusion of nascent virions. p24 governs macromolecular compaction during this stage, ensuring proper maturation and infectivity of released particles.

HIV1 p24 as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Marker

p24's early serological detectability (often preceding antibody seroconversion) establishes its diagnostic value for acute HIV1 detection, enabling rapid antiretroviral intervention. Therapeutically, its indispensable role in capsid dynamics positions p24 as a prime antiviral target. Investigational strategies include small-molecule capsid assembly inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies disrupting structural transitions.

Antibodies Targeting HIV1 p24

Immunoglobulins directed against HIV1 p24 play pivotal roles in combating viral infection through both diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. A major functional category comprises neutralizing antibodies that engage p24 through direct binding, disrupting core biochemical processes, including capsid maturation and destabilization. This interference cascade ultimately suppresses viral propagation cycles, establishing their clinical value for viral suppression protocols. Current investigative efforts prioritize engineering broad-spectrum neutralizing variants capable of countering diverse HIV1 mutants.

Antibodies targeting HIV1 p24 are also commonly used in diagnostic assays like ELISA to detect the presence of the p24 antigen in patient samples. Antibody-based detection systems require rigorous specificity and sensitivity parameters to ensure diagnostic reliability, particularly during acute infection phases when early viral identification enables prompt initiation of antiretroviral regimens and improved clinical trajectories.

Fig. 3 HIV1 replication cycle and the monoclonal antibodies targeting p24.¹

Creative Biolabs offers high-quality anti-HIV1 p24 antibody products that can be used in various applications, like ELISA, WB, Neut, IF, etc. These reagents demonstrate exceptionally high specificity and sensitivity, enabling accurate and reliable detection of HIV1 p24, and accelerating therapy development.

REFERENCE

1. Che Nordin, Muhamad Alif, and Sin-Yeang Teow. "Review of current cell-penetrating antibody developments for HIV-1 therapy." Molecules 23.2 (2018): 335. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23020335