Abstract
How does human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gain access to the carefully guarded nucleus of the host cell? In a Perspective, Segura-Totten and Wilson elaborate on new findings (de Noronha et al.) showing that the HIV protein Vpr is crucial for causing transient herniations in the host cell nuclear envelope. These ruptures are sufficient to enable the preintegration complexes of invading virions to enter the nucleus and to integrate with host cell DNA.
MeSH terms
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
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Cell Nucleus / virology*
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Chromatin / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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G2 Phase
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Gene Products, vpr / genetics
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Gene Products, vpr / metabolism*
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HIV / physiology*
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HeLa Cells
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Humans
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Lamins
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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Mutation
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Nuclear Envelope / metabolism*
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Nuclear Envelope / ultrastructure
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Phosphorylation
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Thymopoietins / metabolism
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Virus Integration*
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vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Substances
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BANF1 protein, human
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Chromatin
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Gene Products, vpr
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Lamins
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Membrane Proteins
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Nuclear Proteins
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Thymopoietins
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emerin
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lamina-associated polypeptide 2
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vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus