Abstract
Release of a genome from virus capsid is a crucial step during virus infection. The release mechanism of non-enveloped RNA viruses has long been the subject of speculations. Based on the structure of capsids, which released their genomes, the pores on two-fold, three-fold, and five-fold axes were proposed to enable slow release of genomes. However, capsids without pores or channels and capsids with entire subunits missing were observed as well. Therefore, pathways of genome release and path-determining properties of virions remain elusive. We developed a phenomenological model of icosahedral virus capsid with a genome and used it to investigate the genome release pathways under various conditions. The observed release pathways can be divided into three categories: slow, leaky, and burst releases. The type of release pathway is mainly determined by compactness of the virus genome and interaction range between pentameric subunits that form the capsid. The molecular understanding of how virion properties determine genome release mechanism may assist in the design of virus-like nanoparticles used for delivery into cells. Moreover, identifying the factors leading to spontaneous genome release may enable the development of new types of anti-viral drugs.
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