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Various plus unique: Viral protein U as a plurifunctional protein for HIV-1 replication.

ABSTRACT: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, encodes four accessory genes, one of which is viral protein U (Vpu). Recently, the study of Vpu has been of great interest. For instance, various cellular proteins are degraded (e.g. CD4) and down-modulated (e.g. tetherin) by Vpu. Vpu also antagonizes the function of tetherin and inhibits NF-?B. Moreover, Vpu is a viroporin forming ion channels and may represent a promising target for anti-HIV-1 drugs. In this review, we summarize the domains/residues that are responsible for Vpu's functions, describe the current understanding of the role of Vpu in HIV-1-infected cells, and review the effect of Vpu on HIV-1 in replication and pathogenesis. Future investigations that simultaneously assess a combination of Vpu functions are required to clearly delineate the most important functions for viral replication. Impact statement Viral protein U (Vpu) is a unique protein encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and related lentiviruses, playing multiple roles in viral replication and pathogenesis. In this review, we briefly summarize the most up-to-date knowledge of HIV-1 Vpu.

SUBMITTER: Soper A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5407542 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Various plus unique: Viral protein U as a plurifunctional protein for HIV-1 replication.

Soper Andrew A Juarez-Fernandez Guillermo G Aso Hirofumi H Moriwaki Miyu M Yamada Eri E Nakano Yusuke Y Koyanagi Yoshio Y Sato Kei K

Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) 20170101 8

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, encodes four accessory genes, one of which is viral protein U (Vpu). Recently, the study of Vpu has been of great interest. For instance, various cellular proteins are degraded (e.g. CD4) and down-modulated (e.g. tetherin) by Vpu. Vpu also antagonizes the function of tetherin and inhibits NF-κB. Moreover, Vpu is a viroporin forming ion channels and may represent a promising target for anti-HIV ...[more]

PMID: 28346011

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Various plus unique: Viral protein U as a plurifunctional protein for HIV-1 replication.

Publications

Various plus unique: Viral protein U as a plurifunctional protein for HIV-1 replication.

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