The viral infectivity factor (Vif) of HIV-1 unveiled

Kristine M. Rose, Mariana Marin, Susan L. Kozak, David Kabat

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

The viral infectivity factor (Vif) of HIV type-1 (HIV-1) is essential for efficient viral replication, yet was, until recently, enigmatic. This resulted from the complexity and cellular specificity of its function and the correspondingly complex systems that are required for its investigation. These limitations have been overcome and Vif function has been rapidly elucidated, with implications for the development of drugs to block its activity. These studies have revealed a novel component of the innate immune system, APOBEC3G, that lethally hypermutates retroviruses, including HIV-1. For HIV-1, the competition between the virus and APOBEC3G is tipped in favor of the invader by Vif, which binds to APOBEC3G and triggers its polyubiquitination and rapid degradation, thereby preventing its entry into progeny virions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)291-297
Number of pages7
JournalTrends in Molecular Medicine
Volume10
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

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