Novel hybrid fusion peptides are disclosed. The novel peptides are formed by the fusion of two or more components. One component is a peptide sequence or variant of a peptide sequence derived from a malaria parasite merozoite peptide which has affinity for and binding capability to red blood cells.
In particular segments of the glycophorin binding peptide 130 (GBP130), are preferred for the first component. Also disclosed are alternative first components, the glycophorin binding peptide homologues (GBPH), or the erythrocyte binding antigen 175 (EBA175), or the plasmodium vivax Duffy receptor or the pre major merozoite surface antigen PMMSA or the (P200) peptide.
The first component peptide is fused to all or part of a peptide segment derived from the CD4 molecule or part thereof or variant thereof which shows binding affinity for the HIV virus.
The resulting fusion peptide being exemplified as
- NH2-CD4-GBP130-COOH
- 1-371 201-774
Also disclosed are the methods of manufacture and means to use the novel hybrid peptides as clinical agents to treat, prevent or test for HIV infection.