ENV GENE Meaning and
Definition
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The env gene, short for envelope gene, is a term mainly used in the field of virology to describe a specific gene present in the genetic material of certain viruses, particularly retroviruses. It plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle by encoding proteins that form the viral envelope. The envelope protein is essential for the virus to infect and enter host cells.
Specifically, the env gene codes for a precursor protein known as the envelope glycoprotein, which is synthesized inside the infected host cell. This precursor protein is later cleaved into two subunits: the surface unit (SU) and the transmembrane unit (TM). The SU is responsible for binding to specific receptors on the surface of host cells, which allows the virus to gain entry. Once the virus attaches to the host cell, the TM subunit undergoes a membrane-fusion process, enabling the virus to enter the cell.
The interaction between the viral envelope proteins and host receptors is a key determinant of viral tropism, or the specific cellular target range of a virus. Different retroviruses, such as HIV, may possess different envelope proteins that dictate the types of cells they infect. Therefore, understanding the env gene and its associated proteins is fundamental to studying the mechanisms of viral entry and designing strategies to counteract viral infections.
Common Misspellings for ENV GENE
- wnv gene
- snv gene
- dnv gene
- rnv gene
- 4nv gene
- 3nv gene
- ebv gene
- emv gene
- ejv gene
- ehv gene
- enc gene
- enb gene
- eng gene
- enf gene
- env fene
- env vene
- env bene
- env hene
- env yene
- env tene
Etymology of ENV GENE
The term env gene stands for envelope gene. The word envelope refers to the outer layer of a virus, which is derived from its host cell and encloses the viral genetic material. The env gene is responsible for coding proteins that make up the viral envelope, particularly in retroviruses like HIV. The word env simply is an abbreviation for envelope. Thus, the etymology of the term env gene is derived from the English word envelope.
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