Cellular Interaction Partners of HIV-2's Viral Protein X

Abstract

HIV-2's viral protein X was discovered to inhibit the viral replication of HIV-1. The thesis discusses and proposes some of the proteins that interact with vpX to further understand the its role in the prolonged latency period of HIV-2. The methods used to examine this were Proximity Ligation Assay, co-Immunoprecipitation, and Western Blot. Through the PLA, it was seen than CTBP-2, a known co-repressor, interacts with the vpX. The role of vpX is under further examination to understand its mechanism in the viral life cycle of HIV-2.