Function
The gene's protein product allows fragments of HIV mRNA that contain a Rev Response Element (RRE) to be exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
In the absence of the rev gene, the host RNA splicing machinery in the nucleus quickly splices the RNA so that only the regulatory proteins Rev and Tat and the accessory protein Nef can be produced. In the presence of rev, RNA is exported from the nucleus before it can be spliced, so that the structural proteins and RNA genome can be produced. This mechanism allows a positive feedback loop to allow HIV to overwhelm the host's defenses, and provides time-dependent regulation of replication.
Read more about this topic: Rev (HIV)
Famous quotes containing the word function:
“Our father has an even more important function than modeling manhood for us. He is also the authority to let us relax the requirements of the masculine model: if our father accepts us, then that declares us masculine enough to join the company of men. We, in effect, have our diploma in masculinity and can go on to develop other skills.”
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