Antiviral inhibition of enveloped virus release by tetherin/BST-2: action and counteraction

• Published in: Viruses Vol. 3; no. 5; pp. 520 - 540
• Main Authors: Le Tortorec, Anna, Willey, Suzanne, Neil, Stuart J D
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.05.2011; MDPI; Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
• Subjects: Antigens, CD - genetics; Antigens, CD - metabolism; Down-Regulation; GPI-Linked Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors; GPI-Linked Proteins - genetics; GPI-Linked Proteins - metabolism; HIV - genetics; HIV - physiology; HIV Infections - genetics; HIV Infections - metabolism; HIV Infections - virology; Humans; interferon; Life Sciences; Protein Binding; restriction of enveloped virus release; Review; Tetherin/BST2; viral countermeasure; Viral Proteins - genetics; Viral Proteins - metabolism; Virus Release; Vpu; viral countermeasure; Vpu; restriction of enveloped virus release; interferon; Tetherin/BST2
• ISSN: 1999-4915; 1999-4915
• DOI: 10.3390/v3050520

Tetherin (BST2/CD317) has been recently recognized as a potent interferon-induced antiviral molecule that inhibits the release of diverse mammalian enveloped virus particles from infected cells. By targeting an immutable structure common to all these viruses, the virion membrane, evasion of this antiviral mechanism has necessitated the development of specific countermeasures that directly inhibit tetherin activity. Here we review our current understanding of the molecular basis of tetherin's mode of action, the viral countermeasures that antagonize it, and how virus/tetherin interactions may affect viral transmission and pathogenicity.