Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) capsid protein p24 is the main component of tubular core in the mature virus particle. Decrease in the level of antibodies to p24 and p24 antigen has been considered to be one of the most useful prognostic markers.
Determination of p24 antigen, as well as anti-p24 antibodies, has vast diagnostic value. Therefore, most diagnostic kits to detect HIV antibodies use p24 as an integral component in addition to envelope glycoproteins. Inhibition of capsid formation can be an effective therapeutic strategy.
