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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
09:08
Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Published on: July 27, 2021
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The Viral Capsid: A Master Key to Access the Host Nucleus
Guillermo Blanco-Rodriguez1,2, Francesca Di Nunzio1
1Advanced Molecular Virology and Retroviral Dynamics Group, Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute, 75015 Paris, France.
Viruses
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Viruses invading host cells remodel their capsids to access the nucleus. This review details viral nuclear entry strategies and the nuclear transport machinery, focusing on viruses like HBV, HSV, adenovirus, and HIV.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Viruses are pathogens that exploit host cell machinery for replication.
- Nuclear entry is essential for replication of many RNA and DNA viruses.
- Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) regulate transport into the nucleus, presenting a barrier for viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the nuclear transport machinery.
- To discuss viral strategies for nuclear entry, focusing on capsid remodeling.
- To highlight examples of viruses that manipulate nuclear import.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of viral replication and nuclear transport.
- Analysis of viral capsid structures and interactions with cellular factors.
- Case studies of specific viruses (HBV, HSV, adenovirus, HIV).
Main Results:
- Viruses employ diverse strategies to bypass NPC and enter the nucleus.
- Capsid remodeling is a common requirement for nuclear access.
- Viral capsids interact with and manipulate the nuclear import machinery.
Conclusions:
- Understanding viral nuclear entry is crucial for comprehending viral pathogenesis.
- Viral capsid remodeling is a key adaptation for nuclear replication.
- Interplay between viral capsids and host factors dictates nuclear import success.
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