Vpu protects HIV-infected cells from antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis by counteracting tetherin.
Tetherin is an interferon-inducible transmembrane protein that inhibits the detachment of enveloped viruses from infected cells. HIV-1 Vpu counteracts this restriction by removing tetherin from sites of virus release. Accordingly, Vpu mutations that disrupt tetherin antagonism increase Env accumulation on the surface o...