Abstract
Conserved in all primate lentivirus genomes, Nef promotes viral replication and infectivity, influences the trafficking of a large number of surface receptors and interferes with TCR signalling, consequently modulating T-cell activation. In vivo observations with Long Term Non-Progressors harbouring a Nef-defective HIV and vaccination studies with Nef-deleted SIV in Rhesus macaques have shown a prominent role for Nef in lentiviral pathogenesis. Here we review the functions of Nef involved in viral replication and infectivity and speculate on a possible role for Nef in HIV fitness.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Current HIV Research |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 200-8 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISSN | 1570-162X |
| Publication status | Published - May-2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
- HIV Infections
- HIV-1
- HIV-2
- Humans
- Macaca mulatta
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Receptors, HIV
- Sequence Alignment
- Simian immunodeficiency virus
- Virus Replication
- nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus