A conserved neutralizing epitope on gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
Vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires an immunogen which will elicit a protective immunity against viruses that show a high degree of genetic polymorphism. Therefore, the identification of neutralizing epitopes which are shared by many strains would be useful. In previous studies, we established a human monoclonal antibody (2F5) that neutralizes a variety of laboratory strains and clinical isolates of HIV-1. In the present report, we define the amino acid sequence Glu-Leu-Asp-Lys-Trp-Ala (ELDKWA) on the ectodomain of gp41 as the epitope recognized by this antibody. The sequence was found to be conserved in 72% of otherwise highly variable HIV-1 isolates. Escape mutants were not detected in cells infected with HIV-1 isolates MN and RF in the presence of antibody 2F5. Since sequence variability of neutralizing epitopes is considered to be a major obstacle to HIV-1 vaccine development, the conserved B-cell epitope described here is a promising candidate for inclusion in a vaccine against AIDS.
Muster
T
T
Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Universität für Bodenkultur, Wien, Austria.
Steindl
F
F
Purtscher
M
M
Trkola
A
A
Klima
A
A
Himmler
G
G
Rüker
F
F
Katinger
H
H
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D000939:Epitopes; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009500:Neutralization Tests
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41