Introduction | HIV-1 and HIV-2 appear to package their RNA differently. HIV-1 binds to any appropriate RNA whereas HIV-2 preferentially binds to mRNA which creates the Gag protein itself. This means that HIV-1 is better able to mutate. HIV-2 is transmitted in the same ways as HIV-1: Through exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, tears and vaginal fluids. Immunodeficiency develops more slowly with HIV-2. HIV-2 is less infectious in the early stages of the virus than with HIV-1. The infectiousness of HIV-2 increases as the virus progresses. Major differences include reduced pathogenicity of HIV-2 relative to HIV-1, enhanced immune control of HIV-2 infection and often some degree of CD4-independence. Despite considerable sequence and phenotypic differences between HIV-1 and 2 envelopes, structurally they are quite similar. Both membrane-anchored proteins eventually form the 6-helix bundles from the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the ectodomain, which is common to many viral and cellular fusion proteins and which seems to drive fusion. HIV-1 gp41 helical regions can form more stable 6-helix bundles than HIV-2 gp41 helical regions however HIV-2 fusion occurs at a lower threshold temperature (25°C), does not require Ca2+ in the medium, is insensitive to treatment of target cells with cytochalasin B, and is not affected by target membrane glycosphingolipid composition. |
Description | HIV-2 gp36 34 kDa recombinant- contains the sequence of HIV-2 envelope immunodominant regions gp36, amino acids 390-702. The protein is fused to beta-galactosidase (114 kDa) at N-terminus. |
Source | Escherichia Coli. |
Physical Appearance | Sterile filtered colorless clear solution. |
Formulation | 0.01M Na2CO3, 0.01M Na3EDTA, 0.014 M?-mercaptoethanol, 0.02% Sarcosyl. |
Purity | Greater than 95.0% as determined by HPLC analysis and SDS-PAGE. |
Stability | Protein should be stored at 4°C. Refrigerate Upon arrival. DO NOT FREEZE. |
Specificity | Immunoreactive with all sera of HIV-2 infected individuals. |
Applications | HIV-2 gp-36 antigen in ELISA and Western blots, excellent antigen for early detection of HIV seroconvertors with minimal specificity problems. |
Usage | ProSpec's products are furnished for LABORATORY RESEARCH USE ONLY. The product may not be used as drugs, agricultural or pesticidal products, food additives or household chemicals. |