Role of the HIV-1 regulatory protein Nef

摘要

AIDS is generally considered to be an immune system disease with a viral etiology. Interestingly, a single HIV-1 product, specifically Nef, recapitulates, at least in part, the pathogenetic effects of the infection. HIV-1 Nef is a 27-kDa regulatory protein lacking any enzymatic activity, but that interacts with several cell proteins, such as an adaptor protein. A surprisingly high number of functions are attributed to Nef, and this review seeks to summarize the most relevant effects of Nef that result from the alteration of both molecular trafficking and intracellular signaling in the host cell. The overall outcome is an increase in viral replication and the impairment of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Unfortunately, although Nef plays a relevant role in AIDS pathogenesis, no Nef-inhibiting drugs are currently available. Thus, finding anti-Nef compounds would contribute to innovative anti-HIV therapeutic approaches.