Antimicrobial Properties of Nuclear Diffusion Inhibitory Signal of HIV-1 Rev

Nuclear Diffusion Inhibitory Signal (NIS) has been identified in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV- 1) Rev as a nuclear signal peptide which modulates nucleocytoplasmic protein trafficking and intracellular stability of the HIV-1 Rev. In this study, it was discovered that antimicrobial properties are inherent in the NIS. This is a significant finding that the NIS, which does not exist solely for self defense, in fact possesses antimicrobial properties.