SAMHD1: a new insight into HIV-1 restriction in myeloid cells

Human myeloid-lineage cells are refractory to HIV-1 infection. The Vpx proteins from HIV-2 and sooty mangabey SIV render these cells permissive to HIV-1 infection through proteasomal degradation of a putative restriction factor. Two recent studies discovered the cellular protein SAMHD1 to be this restriction factor, demonstrating that Vpx induces proteasomal degradation of SAMHD1 and enhances HIV-1 infection in myeloid-lineage cells. SAMHD1 functions as a myeloid-cell-specific HIV-1 restriction factor by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis. Here we discuss the implications of these findings in delineating the mechanisms of HIV-1 restriction in myeloid-lineage cells and the potential role of Vpx in lentiviral pathogenesis.