We demonstrate that Tat.AG and HIV-1 CRF02_AG (but not Tat.B or HIV-1 subtype-B) increased N-myrystoyltransferase (NMT)-1 and casein kinase-II-alpha (CKIIα) expression in human monocytes and MDM, and silencing NMT1 and CKIIα (but not NMT2 or CKIIβ) genes blocked HIV-1 CRF02_AG (but not subtype B) infection of human macrophages. The gene discussed is TAT; the disease is infection.