| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides a molecule comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence lysine-proline-cysteine-valine-lysine-leucine-threonine-proline-leucine-cysteine-valine (Seq.Id.No.1), wherein each cysteine residue is disulphide bridged to a further cysteine residue or is derivatised to simulate part of a disulphide bond, or functionally equivalent variants of such a peptide which mimic the immunogenic behaviour of an epitope of gp120 of HIV env. The sequence is highly conserved, being totally conserved in all listed isolates of HIV-1 and HIV-2, and undergoes only minor changes in isolates of SIV. With each cysteine residue contributing to a respective disulphide bridge (actual or simulated by suitable derivatisation), the molecule accurately mimics behaviour of the corresponding sequence of gp120 and elicits an immune response. The molecule can thus be used as the basis of a potential vaccine against AIDS and AIDS related conditions, and may find use in the treatment of AIDS and related conditions.</p> |
