Role of HIV-1 Nef protein for virus replication in vitro

The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses (simian and human immunodeficiency viruses; SIV/HIVs) appears to be multi-functional and plays a pivotal role in viral persistence and pathogenesis in vivo. Of its numerous functions reported to date, the ability to enhance virion infectivity in indicator cell lines and to augment viral replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lymphocytes (PBLs) is very well conserved among various SIV/HIVs. This review summarizes and organizes current knowledge of HIV-1 Nef with respect to this particularly virological activity for understanding the basis of its in vivo function.