MACROMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY OF HIV AND OTHER RETROVIRUSES

A critical phase in the infection cycle of HIV and other retroviruses is the assembly of new infectious virus particles. This process requires complex but coordinated targeting of capsid precursor proteins, virus genomic RNA and viral glycoproteins to a common assembly site on the plasma membrane. Domains within the capsid precursor proteins define the route taken to the plasma membrane and direct the process of virus budding. However, in order for the assembled virus to be infectious, viral glycoproteins, replicative enzymes and genomic RNA must also be included. The mechanisms by which this complex of interactions occur are discussed in this chapter. © 1994 Academic Press. All rights reserved.