The nef gene product of HIV has been reported to down-regulate viral growth by suppressing viral transcription and to possess biochemical properties similar to G-proteins. These genetic and biochemical features of nef have led to a hypothesis that nef plays a central role in the regulation of viral gene expression and that nef is somehow involved in the establishment and/or maintenance of latency during viral pathogenesis. However recent reports, including ours, have challenged such a negative role for nef in viral growth, weakening the basis of such a hypothesis. This proposal is an attempt to investigate more fully the molecular and biochemical properties of nef and also to explore its possible in vivo function(s).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29AI030897-02
Application #
3455744
Study Section
AIDS and Related Research Study Section 3 (ARRC)
Project Start
1990-12-01
Project End
1992-06-30
Budget Start
1991-12-01
Budget End
1992-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215