[HIV-1 assembly is initiated by p17 matrix protein]

Abstract

HIV-1 matrix protein (MA) is multifunctional structural protein located on N-terminus of Gag precursor p55 and responsible for its transport to plasma membrane, the site of virus assembly. Here, it has been shown that MA is cleaved from Gag precursor at early stage of the virus infection and participates in virus assembly. MA is transported into the nuclei wherein it associates with viral RNA (vRNA). The MA-vRNA complex is transported to plasma membrane. Mutant MA which lost its membranotropic signal does not reach plasma membrane and MA-vRNA complex remains in the nuclei and cytoskeleton. Thus, MA seems to deliver vRNA from the nuclei to plasma membrane through cytoskeleton initiating virus assembly.