Abstract
The assembly of HIV-1 particles is a concerted and dynamic process that takes place on the plasma membrane of infected cells. An abundance of recent discoveries has advanced our understanding of the complex sequence of events leading to HIV-1 particle assembly, budding, and release. Structural studies have illuminated key features of assembly and maturation, including the dramatic structural transition that occurs between the immature Gag lattice and the formation of the mature viral capsid core. The critical role of inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) in the assembly of both the immature and mature Gag lattice has been elucidated. The structural basis for selective packaging of genomic RNA into virions has been revealed. This review will provide an overview of the HIV-1 assembly process, with a focus on recent advances in the field, and will point out areas where questions remain that can benefit from future investigation.
Highlights
IntroductionDiscussions of viral lifecycles almost inevitably begin with the attachment and entry of a virus into a target cell
The assembly processes of enveloped viruses are inherently fascinating and complex.Discussions of viral lifecycles almost inevitably begin with the attachment and entry of a virus into a target cell
What would attachment and entry mean in the absence of the interplay between virus and host that results in the formation of an infectious viral particle? From the standpoint of the virus, assembly is the central act of creation that determines all subsequent steps in viral replication
Summary
Discussions of viral lifecycles almost inevitably begin with the attachment and entry of a virus into a target cell Perhaps these discussions should begin instead with a description of the creation of the particle (virus assembly). A defining characteristic of the assembly of all viruses, well-illustrated by HIV-1, is the intimate interaction between viral gene products and host cellular machinery. HIV-1 genomic RNA (gRNA) is exported from the nucleus and serves as the template for translation of Gag and Gag-Pol, which takes place on free cytosolic ribosomes. Following the assembly of the immature virion and packaging of the viral gRNA, particle assembly. Following the assembly of the immature virion and packaging of the viral gRNA, cleavage of Gag occurs, leading to dramatic structural rearrangements and the formation of the ma‐.
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