We have previously reported that antibodies against HIV-1p17 protein cross-react with human superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2). To identify and characterize the epitopes of human SOD-2 recognized by anti-HIV-1p17 antibody, we synthesized several peptide fragments of human SOD-2 and found that the antibody did not bind to the LQPALK hexapeptide which is contained in both HIV-1p17 and human SOD-2. Instead, this antibody bound to four peptides which contain amino acid sequences similar, but not identical, to the known epitopes of HIV-1p17. These peptides have two features in three-dimensional (3-D) conformation: two protruded carbohydrate side chains on the peptide chain or a concave structure in the molecule. It is suggested that the antibody does not strictly recognize the amino acid sequence itself, but may recognize these 3-D conformations.

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