Abstract
A defining property of retroviruses is their ability to assemble into particles that can leave producer cells and spread infection to susceptible cells and hosts. Virion morphogenesis can be divided into three stages: assembly, wherein the virion is created and essential components are packaged; budding, wherein the virion crosses the plasma membrane and obtains its lipid envelope; and maturation, wherein the virion changes structure and becomes infectious. All of these stages are coordinated by the Gag polyprotein and its proteolytic maturation products, which function as the major structural proteins of the virus. Here, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms of HIV-1 assembly, budding, and maturation, starting with a general overview and then providing detailed descriptions of each of the different stages of virion morphogenesis.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Capsid / physiology
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Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
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Gene Products, env / metabolism
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HIV Protease / metabolism
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HIV-1 / physiology*
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Lipids / metabolism
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RNA, Viral / metabolism
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Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / metabolism
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Virus Assembly*
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Virus Release*
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gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism
Substances
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Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
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Gene Products, env
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins
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Membrane Lipids
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RNA, Viral
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Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
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gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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viral envelope lipids
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vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
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HIV Protease
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p16 protease, Human immunodeficiency virus 1