Bst2 Antibody

Bst2 was first identified as a novel terminal B-cell-restricted antigen termed HM1.24 that is expressed on certain bone marrow cells as well as other tissues. The surface expression of Bst2 on fibroblast cell lines facilitated the stromal cell-dependent growth of DW34, a pre-B-cell line, suggesting that this protein is involved in pre-B-cell growth. Later experiments also showed it to be upregulated in several myeloma cells. More recently, Bst2 was identified an inhibitor of retroviral release from human cells whose activity is antagonized by the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu. While Bst2 caused retention of virions on cell surfaces or endocytosis into Bst2-positive compartments, its depletion abolished the viral requirement for Vpu for virus release. This activity may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.