Human Immunodeficiency Virus Glycoproteins: Lectin Binding Properties

Recombinant glycoproteins derived from the HIV env gene are available and are under evaluation as antigens in vaccines against AIDS. The importance of the glycoconjugate structure for eliciting a protective immune response by these proteins is incompletely known. In this report we devise a method for the characterization of the glycoconjugate and demonstrate gross differences in the composition of the carbohydrate moiety in glycoproteins derived from the HIV env gene when expressed in different cell lines.