HIV-1 Capsid Core: A Bullet to the Heart of the Target Cell

The first step of the intracellular phase retroviral infection is release viral capsid core in cytoplasm. This structure contains genetic material that will be reverse transcribed and integrated into genome infected cells. Up to recent times, role was considered essentially protect this during earlier phases process. However, increasing evidence demonstrates permanence inside cell as an intact, or almost longer than thought. suggests its involvement more aspects infectious cycle previously foreseen, particularly steps genomic translocation nucleus preceding integration. During trip across cell, many host factors are brought interact with capsid, some possessing antiviral properties, others, serving cofactors. All these interactions rely on properties unique component core, protein CA. Likely, drawback ensuring multiple functions extreme fragility has been shown characterize protein. Here, we recapitulate busy agenda HIV-1 process, particular light most findings.