Immunoreactivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope polypeptides expressed in Escherichia coli.

Defined cDNA sequences encoding segments of envelope glycoproteins of the human immunodeficiency virus were expressed in E. coli. The recombinant env fusion proteins were tested for immunoreactivity with patient sera by radio immunoprecipitation procedures. The regions of the env proteins, carrying relevant antigenic determinants in respect to diagnostic purposes, could be identified.