| gp120 | <protein, virology> A glycoprotein from HIV's envelope that binds to the CD4 molecules on cells outside membrane. Free gp120 in the body may be toxic to cells on its own, causing CD4 cell depletion in the immune system through apoptosis and neurological damage leading to AIDS dementia complex. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| HIV envelope protein gp120 | External envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus which is encoded by the HIV env gene. It has a molecular weight of 120,000 kD and contains numerous glycosylation sites. Gp120 binds to cells expressing CD4 cell-surface antigens, most notably t4-lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Gp120 has been shown to interfere with the normal function of CD4 and is at least partly responsible for the cytopathic effect of HIV. (12 Dec 1998) |
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