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From Proteopedia

Background

Glycoprotein 41, also known as gp41, is a subunit of the envelope protein (Env) found on several retroviruses, most notably HIV. It is a transmembrane protein that mediates fusion between HIV-1 and the host cell. Gp41 is one of the major targets for the immune response in infected individuals, and its crucial role in HIV-1 infection has prompted the development of various treatments aiming to inhibit its function.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys the CD4 cells of the body’s immune system. It is transmitted when infected body fluids such as semen or blood either come into contact with either a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or are injected into the blood stream. HIV infection progresses through different stages: acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS. Two to four weeks after a person becomes infected with HIV they can enter into the acute infection stage of infection where CD4 cell count dramatically falls as the number of HIV particles spikes. Eventually, CD4 cell levels stabilize and the body enters into the clinical latency stage, in which HIV reproduces at a very low rate and has little or no real affect on the body. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the stage of HIV infection where the virus drastically damages the immune system leaving the body vulnerable to infections.