CELL TYPE-DEPENDENCE FOR VPU FUNCTION

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu has been shown to facilitate v irus release from HeLa cells. We demonstrated that Vpu expression is n ot required for efficient virus release from Cos 1 and CV-1 cells. A y east GAL4 transcriptional activation system was used to screen for cel lular proteins that may interact with Vpu. One such protein was identi fied which we provisionally designate ''Vpu interactive protein'' or V IP.