Background: Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to a profound reduction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related mortality; although, the complete eradication of the virus from infected individuals has never been achieved. In addition, due to the high mutation and evolution rate, drug-resistant viruses are continuously emerging.
Objective: Genetically more stable cellular pathways represent attractive targets for innovative antiviral strategies, especially the ubiquitin proteasome system, which regulates various steps in the HIV replication cycle.
Methods: This review focuses on certain interactions of HIV and E3 ligases as a major player in the ubiquitin proteasome system.
Results/conclusion: Due to the importance in HIV replication, and together with the high substrate specificity, E3 ligases can be considered as bona fide targets to interfere with HIV infection.