We have previously shown that a number of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mutants generated in vitro display a replication-defect in a cell-dependent manner. Of the mutants of this category, those of gag, vif, and env mutants do not grow at all in lymphocytic H9 (non-permissive) cells, but quite well in M8166 (permissive) cells. To determine whether the cell-dependent growth of the mutants is functionally related to each other, a number of double mutants were constructed, and monitored for their replication and biochemical property in various cells. The results obtained have indicated that there are multiple cellular factors responsible for the growth phenotype. Together with our previous findings on the host cell-dependent mutants of HIV-1, it is concluded that number of distinct cellular factors are involved in the various steps in HIV-1 replication cycle.

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