Therapeutic targeting of interactions between Nef and host cell proteins.

Nef is a viral pathogenicity factor that has an important role in disease progression associated with HIV infection. Yet, no antiviral drugs capable of inhibiting of Nef are available or in clinical trials today. In this review the challenges and potential involved in pharmaceutical targeting of Nef are discussed in light of current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Nef action, with a special emphasis on effector functions of Nef that are mediated via SH3 domain-directed interactions with host cell proteins.