Chemists from the University of Chicago have successfully assembled a massive model of the nuclear pore complex and the HIV-1 virus capsid. Because viruses have to hijack someone else’s cell to replicate, they’ve gotten very good at it—inventing all sorts of tricks. A new study from two Universi

This study investigates the factors regulating the nuclear entry of intact HIV-1 capsid using coarse-grained simulations and structural analysis. It demonstrates that modulating the capsid lattice elasticity can be an effective strategy for the development of antiviral drugs to prevent viral nuclear import and impair infection.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2313737121 (open access)

  • §ɦṛɛɗɗịɛ ßịⱺ𝔩ⱺɠịᵴŧEnglish
    2•4 months ago

    Classic example of structure equals function. Still wild the virus is able to use this mechanism to force entry into the nucleus. The cell requires a reaction mechanism utilizing GDP/GTP for importing and exporting molecules across the nuclear membrane. This makes the viruses ability to pretty much brute force it’s way in even more surprising!