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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors
Published on: July 16, 2012
Viral protein U counteracts a human host cell restriction that inhibits HIV-1 particle production
Vasundhara Varthakavi1, Rita M Smith, Stephan P Bour
1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2581, USA.
Abstract:
Human cells resist viral infections by a variety of mechanisms. Viruses must overcome host cell restrictions to successfully reproduce their genetic material. Here, we identify a host restriction to viral replication that acts at the stage of particle assembly. Viral protein U (Vpu) is an HIV-1 accessory protein that enhances particle assembly and release in most human cells, but not in simian cells. By using human-simian cell heterokaryons, we show that the inhibition of assembly in human cells is dominant. Vpu overcomes the block to assembly in human cells and in human-simian heterokaryons. The HIV-1 vpu gene may have evolved to counteract an assembly restriction that is present in human cells.
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