Fine mapping of an immunodominant domain in the transmembrane glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus.

摘要: Sera from virtually all individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus contain antibodies against the viral envelope glycoproteins. By using a series of synthetic peptide antigens, we identified an immunodominant domain at amino acid position 598-609 gp41. The minimal essential epitope is 7-amino-acid sequence (amino acids 603-609) containing two cysteine residues. Both residues are required for antigenic conformation sequence, possibly due to creation cyclic structure via disulfide bond formation.