To examine how a deficiency in CerS2 might affect HIV-1 assembly, release, and replication, we transfected WT and CerS2−/− HEK293T cells with the full-length NL4-3 (33) WT HIV-1 proviral plasmid and monitored particle production, Env levels in virus particles, and infection efficiencies. The gene discussed is ERVW-1; the disease is infection.