title: Vpu Protein: The Viroporin Encoded by HIV-1.
abstract: Viral protein U (Vpu) is a lentiviral viroporin encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and some simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strains. This small protein of 81 amino acids contains a single transmembrane domain that allows for supramolecular organization via homoligomerization or interaction with other proteins. The topology and trafficking of Vpu through subcellular compartments result in pleiotropic effects in host cells. Notwithstanding the high variability of its amino acid sequence, the functionality of Vpu is well conserved in pandemic virus isolates. This review outlines our current knowledge on the interactions of Vpu with the host cell. The regulation of cellular physiology by Vpu and the validity of this viroporin as a therapeutic target are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Expresión Viral, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Carretera de Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain. megonzalez@isciii.es.
authors.forename: María Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D021381:Protein Transport; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D057074:Virus Release; 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
keywords: HIV-1; Viroporin; Vpu; antiretroviral target; ion transport; membrane permeability; membrane pore; protein trafficking