The p1 region of HIV-1 gag contains the frameshift stem-loop, gag-pol transframe and a protease cleavage site that are crucial for viral assembly, replication and infectivity. Identifying and characterizing CD8+ epitopes that are under host immune selection in this region will help in designing effective vaccines for HIV-1.
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3R2, Canada. ma_luo@phac-aspc.gc.ca
