SERINC5 Potently Restricts Retrovirus Infection In Vivo

Abstract

This study examined for the first time the in vivo function of the ser ine inc orporator (SERINC) proteins during retrovirus infection. SERINC3 and SERINC5 (SERINC3/5) restrict a number of retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and murine leukemia virus (MLV), by blocking their entry into cells. Nevertheless, HIV-1 and MLV encode factors, Nef and glycosylated Gag, respectively, that counteract SERINC3/5 in vitro . We recently developed SERINC3 and SERINC5 knockout mice to examine the in vivo function of these genes. We found that SERINC5 restriction is dependent on the absence of glycosylated Gag and the expression of a specific viral envelope glycoprotein. On the other hand, SERINC3 had no antiviral function. Our findings have implications for the development of therapeutics that target SERINC5 during retrovirus infection.