Crystal complex structure of HIV-1 Vpr C-terminal and importin-α
Vpr C-terminal loop makes a twisted β-turn upon binding to importin-α, inducing homodimerization of importin-α.
The twisted β-turn mimics a canonical NLS-binding motif for the minor NLS-binding site of importin-α.
The major NLS-binding site free from the Vpr binding passively serves as the canonical NLS-binding site during pre-integration complex nuclear import.