The vpx gene of simian immunodeficiency virus facilitates efficient viral replication in fresh lymphocytes and macrophage.

vpx is a unique open reading frame found in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) but not in HIV-1. It encodes a 12- to 16-kDa virion-associated protein. Although vpx is dispensable for viral replication in several established human lymphocyte cell lines, there is no consensus regarding whether this gene is required for efficient viral replication in freshly isolated lymphocytes. We report here that the vpx mutant of SIVmac exhibits different degrees of impairment from wild-type SIVmac in freshly isolated lymphocytes. This defect is more pronounced in macrophages from the same donors. Our findings suggest that vpx is required for efficient viral replication in fresh lymphocytes and macrophages.