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Updated: May 8, 2026
09:35
Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes
Published on: February 9, 2009
From Cellular Models to In Vivo Insights on Viral Nuclear Import and Post-Nuclear Entry.
Jean-Sebastien Diana, Thierry Mourer, Chiara Tomasini
1Institut Pasteur, Advanced Molecular Virology Unit, Department of Virology, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France;
Annual Review of Virology
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Viruses entering the nucleus, like HIV-1, utilize the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and exploit nuclear functions. Novel viral condensates aid key replication steps within the host cell nucleus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Viruses must traverse the nuclear envelope via the nuclear pore complex (NPC) to access the nucleus.
- The nuclear environment is crucial for viral replication steps like reverse transcription, integration, and gene expression.
- Recent advancements have redefined the NPC's structure and viral interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of viral nuclear import and post-entry events.
- To highlight the role of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid in nuclear processes.
- To emphasize the formation of virus-induced biomolecular condensates facilitating viral replication.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cellular models and in vivo systems.
- Focus on structural biology and advanced imaging technologies.
- Integration of findings from diverse research approaches.
Main Results:
- The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a dynamic barrier redefined by recent studies.
- HIV-1 capsid actively mediates nuclear entry and post-entry events.
- Virus-induced biomolecular condensates create specialized nuclear compartments for viral replication.
Conclusions:
- Understanding viral nuclear import requires integrating structural, imaging, and in vivo data.
- The HIV-1 capsid's role in nuclear events, including condensate formation, is revolutionary.
- Spatiotemporal dynamics within the nucleus are key to deciphering viral replication strategies.
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