Therefore, although it has been previously shown that SAMHD1 affects HIV-1 infection, we argue that SAMHD1 elimination is not necessary for HIV-1 (or RT-HSIV) to reverse transcribe in macrophages; Vpx and SAMHD1 knockdown only serve to boost HIV-1 infectivity but are not necessary for it. The gene discussed is SAMHD1; the disease is HIV-1 infection.