Epigenetic Silencing by the SMC5/6 Complex Mediates HIV-1 Latency

Using a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen, research identified the host SMC5/6 complex as essential for HIV-1 epigenetic silencing. They showed that SMC5/6 bound to and then SUMOylates unintegrated chromatinized HIV-1 DNA.