Retroviral assembly and budding occur through an actin-driven mechanism.

ABSTRACT: The assembly and budding of a new virus is a fundamental step in retroviral replication. Yet, despite substantial progress in the structural and biochemical characterization of retroviral budding, the underlying physical mechanism remains poorly understood, particularly with respect to the mechanism by which the virus overcomes the energy barrier associated with the formation of high membrane curvature during viral budding. Using atomic force, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy, we find that both human immunodeficiency virus and Moloney murine leukemia virus remodel the actin cytoskeleton of their host. These actin-filamentous structures assemble simultaneously with or immediately after the beginning of budding, and disappear as soon as the nascent virus is released from th

SUBMITTER: Gladnikoff M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2770610 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature