HIV-1 Vpr interacts with the nuclear transport pathway to promote macrophage infection

HIV-1 Vpr is similar to importin-B in the function in performs during HIV-1 nuclear import. This function is an essential part of the Vpr role in macrophage infection although not crucial for G2 arrest. The two functions of Vpr are genetically separable. When Vpr does not localize to the nuclear envelope HIV-1 cannot infect macrophages effectively.