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HIV-1 Maturation

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Book cover Advances in HIV-1 Assembly and Release

Abstract

To replicate, viruses must form stable particles that are released from infected cells, yet must disassemble and release their genomes following entry into target cells. Retroviruses, including the human immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2, resolve this conundrum through assembly of particles from polyproteins followed by maturation of the core via proteolytic cleavage of the polyproteins. Cleavage of the Gag and Gag–Pol polyproteins results in morphogenesis of the core containing a metastable capsid that is competent for disassembly upon penetration of a cell. For HIV-1, inhibition of the viral protease results in immature particles that are impaired at entry as well as post-entry stages of infection. Hence, drugs targeting the viral protease represent a major arm of current therapy for HIV infection. In this chapter, we review the current state of knowledge regarding HIV-1 maturation, including structural and mechanistic aspects as well as the consequences of its inhibition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Host-Pathogens Interactions, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, A-5301 Medican Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232-2363, USA

    Christopher Aiken Ph.D.

  2. Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Peijun Zhang Ph.D.

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  1. Christopher Aiken Ph.D.
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  2. Peijun Zhang Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Christopher Aiken Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. HIV Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Bg. 535/Rm. 108, Frederick, 21702-1201, Maryland, USA

    Eric O. Freed

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Aiken, C., Zhang, P. (2013). HIV-1 Maturation. In: Freed, E. (eds) Advances in HIV-1 Assembly and Release. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7729-7_6

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