A protein expressed by the HIV virus that activates NF-kB resulting in increased HIV replication.
an HIV regulatory gene that plays a major role in viral pathogenesis; the Nef protein has numerous effects including protecting infected host cells from apoptosis (see above) and altering cell receptor expression and distribution.
an HIV regulatory PROTEIN. HIV without nef appears to have lessened capacity to infect new cells. Nef also blocks HIV-infected cells from expressing CD4 and MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC) class I molecules on their surfaces, thus limiting the IMMUNE SYSTEM's ability to recognize and kill these cells.
One of the regulatory genes of HIV. Three HIV regulatory genes -- tat, rev, and nef -- and three so-called auxiliary genes -- vif, vpr, and vpu -- contain information necessary for the production of proteins that control the virus' ability to infect a cell, produce new copies of itself, or cause disease.
a gene of SIV and HIV that regulates the production of the virus. Vaccines made of SIV virions from which nef has been removed ( nef-deleted) have shown promise in monkeys.