HIV Proteins

Question 1

GAG

Answer 1

Proteins are the core and capsid structural proteins

Question 2

POL

Answer 2

Proteins are part of an enzymatic complex which includes reverse transcripase, DNA Pol, RNAse H, protease and integrase

Question 3

ENV

Answer 3

Proteins constitute the spikes on the envelope of the virus; gp160 = gp120 + gp41

Question 4

TAT

Answer 4

Transcription transactivator for both viral and cellular control regions of genes (LTRs bind TAT)

Question 5

REV

Answer 5

Regulates transport of viral mRNAs out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, also regulates splicing

Question 6

NEF

Answer 6

Diminishes the expression of CD4 and MHC I which changes T cell signaling and is required to achieve a high virus load. NEF is a KEY component in enabling a limited HIV infection to progress to full blood HIV replication.

Question 7

VIF

Answer 7

Promotes virus assembly and blocks the activation of cellular protein (APOBEC-3G) that normally acts as an antiviral protein.

Question 8

VPU

Answer 8

Enhances the release of virus from infected cells and inhibits the cell surface expression of CD4

Question 9

VPR

Answer 9

Arrests infected cells in G2 phase of cell cycle, which is the optimal phase for HIV replication and enhances the transport of proviral DNA (provirus) from the cytoplasm into the nucleus.