<prompt> Nef gene in HIV is for use:Enhancing the expression of genesEnhancing viral replicationDecreasing viral replicationMaturation  <response>: Ans. is c i.e., Decreasing viral replicationRef: Ananthanarayan, 9the, and 8the, p. 571Nef Negative factor gene: Downregulating viral replication. QThe Nef protein increases viral infectivity, facilitates activation of resting T cells, and downregulates expression of CD4 and MHC class I. The Nef gene is necessary for simian immunodeficiency virus SIV to be pathogenic in monkeys. Jawetz 