Tags: Protein.
Vpu is a protein that in HIV is encoded by the vpu gene. Vpu stands for Viral Protein Unique. The Vpu gene is found exclusively in HIV-1 and some HIV-1-related simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates such as SIVcpz SIVgsn and SIVmon but not in HIV-2 or the majority of SIV isolates. Structural similarities between Vpu and another small viral protein M2 encoded by influenza A virus were first noted soon after the discovery of Vpu.
