genetics of HIV

Last reviewed 01/2018

There are three genes in HIV which are characteristic of all retroviruses:

• gag:
• encodes a precursor protein (Pr55)
• cleavage yields:
• p17 matrix protein
• p24 capsid protein
• p9 nucleocapsid protein
• p6

• pol encodes reverse transcriptase, endonuclease and protease activities

• env:
• encodes a precursor protein p160
• cleavage yields:
• p41 a transmembrane protein which anchors p120
• p120 binds non-covalently to p41 and acts as the CD4 receptor

In addition to these typical genes there are other regulatory genes.