IFI16 Targets the Transcription Factor Sp1 to Suppress HIV-1 Transcription and Latency Reactivation (Cell Host & Microbe)

The interferon ?-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) is an immune sensor of retroviral DNA intermediates. Hotter et al. demonstrate that IFI16 suppresses HIV-1 transcription and latency reactivation by interfering with Sp1-dependent gene expression. However, highly prevalent subtype C HIV-1 strains are less susceptible to IFI16 than other subtypes of HIV-1.