Abstract
Viral assembly, a key step in any viral life cycle, is a dynamic process driven by genetically programmed sequential morphogenetic reactions involving protein-protein associations and interactions between the viral genome and capsid proteins. A variety of experimental, theoretical, and computational methods have been applied to study viral structures and their assembly. In this perspective, we review the three main strategies employed for viral capsid assembly: (1) self-assembly; (2) scaffolding protein-assisted assembly; and (3) viral genome-assisted assembly. The details of the processes underpinning the three modes of assembly garnered from some well-studied examples of viruses are summarized. A deep understanding of the assembly mechanism could facilitate identification of targets or opportunities for novel antiviral therapies and rationally guide the synthesis of nano-structures and bio-vectors for gene therapies.
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