New mutant human immune deficiency virus gp41 polypeptide, useful in vaccines against human immune deficiency virus, mimics the intermediate state of the native polypeptide

摘要

An human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 polypeptide (I) that can form a structure corresponding to, or mimicking, the intermediate state of gp41 includes at least one of the mutations: (a) Thr35Ile or Leu; (b) Val49Ile or Leu; (c) Gln56Ile or Leu; (d) Ile101Asp or Ser; (e) Ile108Asp; or (f) Trp94Asp, based on a fully defined 177 amino acid sequence given in the specification, is new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) conjugate (II) of (I) and a carrier protein or peptide; (2) DNA (III) that encodes (I) or (II); (3) expression vector (IV) containing (II); (4) host cell (V) containing (IV); (5) preparation (M1) of (I) by culturing (V); and (6) a vaccine against HIV containing, apart from carrier and optionally an adjuvant, at least one of (I), (II) or (IV).