Lens Epithelium Derived Growth Factor (LEDGF)

PSIP1 is a misnomer as the protein is present in most tissues and has no direct role in the development of Lens epithelium. LEDGF/p75, a transcription coactivator, gained prominence as the host factor which assists HIV integration and is probably the only protein whose knock down severely affects the HIV integration levels. The interaction between HIV integrase and human LEDGF/p75 is a promising target for anti-HIV drug discovery. Expressed at high level in the thymus. Expressed in fetal and adult brain. Expressed in neurons, but not astrocytes. Markedly elevated in fetal as compared to adult brain. In the adult brain, expressed in the subventricular zone (SVZ), in hippocampus, and undetectable elsewhere. In the fetal brain, expressed in the germinal neuroepithelium and cortical plate regions.