HIV-1 REGULATORY ACCESSORY GENES - KEYS TO UNRAVELING VIRAL AND HOST-CELL BIOLOGY/

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) manipulates fundamental ho st cell processes in sophisticated ways to achieve optimum replicative efficiency. Recent studies have provided new details on the molecular interactions of HIV-1 with its host cell. For example, HIV-1 encodes a protein that regulates transcriptional elongation by interacting wit h a cellular cyclin-dependent kinase, another that activates the speci fic nuclear export of viral RNA, and several others that affect the in tracellular trafficking of viral and host cell proteins. Detailed anal ysis of the interplay between these viral proteins and normal cellular activities has provided new insights into central questions of virolo gy and host cell biology.