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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Imaging of HIV-1 Envelope-induced Virological Synapse and Signaling on Synthetic Lipid Bilayers

Imaging of HIV-1 Envelope-induced Virological Synapse and Signaling on Synthetic Lipid Bilayers

Published on: March 8, 2012

Capsid-host interactions for HIV-1 ingress.

Sooin Jang^1,2, Alan N Engelman^1,2

¹Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR

|September 26, 2023

Summary

The HIV-1 capsid

Keywords:

CPSF6 FG domain HIV NUP153 capsid lenacapavir liquid-liquid phase separation mixed-charge domain nuclear import prion-like domain speckle-associated domain trafficking

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2025

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Published on: March 8, 2012

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Conformational Evaluation of HIV-1 Trimeric Envelope Glycoproteins Using a Cell-based ELISA Assay

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Published on: September 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Virology
Structural Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid protein forms a protective shell around viral genetic material and essential enzymes.
Understanding HIV-1 capsid interactions with host factors is crucial for viral entry and replication.
The precise timing and location of HIV-1 capsid uncoating during the infection process remain subjects of debate.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the complex interactions between the HIV-1 capsid and host factors during viral entry and nuclear import.
To discuss current research questions regarding HIV-1 capsid uncoating dynamics.
To highlight the clinical relevance of targeting capsid-host interactions.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on HIV-1 capsid structure, function, and host interactions.
Analysis of recent findings on capsid uncoating and nuclear pore complex traversal.
Discussion of the role of specific host factors, such as CPSF6, and their binding motifs (e.g., FG motifs, PrLDs).

Main Results:

Recent evidence suggests the HIV-1 capsid may remain largely intact during nuclear import, with potential structural remodeling for NPC passage.
Host factors, including those with prion-like domains, bind to the capsid exterior, facilitating productive infection.
Completion of reverse transcription in the nucleus may contribute to capsid disassembly.

Conclusions:

HIV-1 capsid-host interactions are critical for viral ingress and subsequent replication.
Targeting these interactions, as exemplified by the drug lenacapavir, offers a promising therapeutic strategy.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and timing of HIV-1 capsid uncoating.