Which two protein bands are confirmed to identify HIV-1 infection in addition to HIV p24?

The identification of HIV-1 infection often relies on serological tests that detect specific viral proteins. Among those proteins, the p24 antigen is a well-established marker for HIV infection. In addition to p24, the proteins gp120 and gp41 play crucial roles in HIV diagnostics.

In this context, gp41 and gp160 are both envelope glycoproteins associated with HIV. gp41 is a transmembrane protein that, together with gp120, forms the envelope of the virus and is critical for the virus's ability to fuse with host cells. gp160, on the other hand, is the precursor to gp120 and gp41 and is cleaved into these two functional proteins.

While choices involving gp120 or other proteins might seem plausible, it is the combination of gp41 and gp160 that is particularly significant in confirming the presence of HIV-1. The presence of gp160 indicates active infection as it reflects the synthesis of viral proteins necessary for the formation of new virions.

Thus, the correct pairing of gp41 and gp160, in addition to the detection of HIV p24, provides a strong indication of HIV-1 infection due to their essential roles in the virus's structure and functionality. This combination enhances the specificity of the ser