Progress Towards A Membrane-Bound Structure Of The Itk/Nef Complex

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Nef is a membrane-associated accessory protein essential for viral replication, immune evasion, and AIDs progression. Nef functions via interactions with numerous host cell proteins involved in signal transduction and trafficking. Nef interaction with Src family kinases in HIV-1 target cells leads to constitutive kinase activity that enhances infectivity and viral replication while down-regulating immune receptors. Recently, Nef was also shown to interact selectively with Tec kinases in HIV-1 target cells.