Hence, we speculate that virion-carried Vpr antagonizes Exo1 to prevent processing of HIV-1 reverse transcripts and/or integration intermediates, as such processing (specifically by Exo1) would interfere with the ordered progression of HIV-1 reverse transcription and/or repair at provirus integration sites and thereby directly inhibit early steps in HIV-1 infection. The gene discussed is EXO1; the disease is HIV-1 infection.