title: Thymosin alpha 1: amino acid homology with peptide T from the human immunodeficiency virus envelope.
abstract: Thymosin alpha 1 has many effects on immune function and its absence in primary immunodeficiency states produce a clinical presentation similar to the one encountered in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of AIDS, binds to T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes through specific surface receptors which include the CD4 glycoprotein. Octapeptide T, a component of the HIV envelope, mediates the binding of HIV to its receptor. In this report, we draw attention to the similarity between the amino acid sequence of thymosin alpha 1 and peptide T and its analogues. This similarity can produce a cross-reactivity between thymosin alpha 1 and HIV and may be a factor in the pathophysiology of the acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006678:HIV / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D015717:Peptide T; D013947:Thymosin / Q000032:analysis*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009842:Oligopeptides; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D015717:Peptide T; D013947:Thymosin