Virology. HIV--breaking the rules for nuclear entry

Abstract

How does human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gain access to the carefully guarded nucleus of the host cell? In a Perspective, Segura-Totten and Wilson elaborate on new findings (de Noronha et al.) showing that the HIV protein Vpr is crucial for causing transient herniations in the host cell nuclear envelope. These ruptures are sufficient to enable the preintegration complexes of invading virions to enter the nucleus and to integrate with host cell DNA.