C-terminal Motifs of HIV-1 gp41 as Possible Determinants of Viral Pathogenesis

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the etiological agent of acquired syndrome (AIDS), a pandemic with high economic and social costs. The envelope glycoprotein (env) mediates infectious process by binding to entering host cell, one main target components studies since its discovery. Its endodomain or C-terminal tail (CTT) participates in late replicative cycle processes, such as intracellular trafficking, activation, cell death, which occurs because it interacts multiple cellular factors through motifs signal sequences present throughout structure. Although these interactions have not been fully understood at specific levels, over more than three decades leave no doubt that this domain plays fundamental role biology probably development disease. This review describes carried out date demonstrate importance CTT, focusing on responsible for possible roles pathogenicity infection.