Occludin functions appear to be influenced by its phosphorylation, and several signaling pathways can be involved in this process including Src, PKC, CK2, Rho-ROCK, VEGF, and PI3K-AKT-PTEN (Table 1). Importantly, the kinases involved in occludin phosphorylation can also influence HIV-1 infection (Fig. 3). The gene discussed is PTEN; the disease is HIV-1 infection.