title: Role of HIV-1 Vpu protein for virus spread and pathogenesis.
abstract: Vpu is an accessory viral protein almost unique to HIV-1 among primate immunodeficiency viruses, and has two major functions: degradation of the CD4 molecule in endoplasmic reticulum and enhancement of virion release from cells. Recent identification of a novel host restriction factor, tetherin, as a Vpu-antagonist suggests that Vpu contributes to virus spread by facilitating progeny virion production. This review focuses on the two distinct functions of Vpu and summarizes current knowledge on its virological role in the HIV-1 life cycle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan.
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nomaguchi
authors.forename: Mikako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adachi
mesh_terms: D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D014771:Virion / Q000378:metabolism; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C514859:vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins