Virus Assembly, Release, and Maturation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to virus assembly, release, maturation, and related mechanisms.

Capsid

The protein shell that encases and protects the viral genome.

Nucleocapsid

A complex of nucleic acid and protein that forms the core of a virus.

Enveloped virus

A virus that has an outer lipid membrane derived from the host cell.

Non-enveloped virus

A virus that lacks an outer lipid membrane and is often more resistant to environmental factors.

Self-assembly

The process by which viral proteins spontaneously organize into structures without assistance.

Chaperones

Proteins that assist in the folding and assembly of viral proteins.

Viral genome packaging

The selective incorporation of the viral nucleic acid into assembling viral particles.

Concerted incorporation

A mechanism where structural units of the protein shell assemble only in association with the genomic nucleic acid.

Sequential incorporation

A mechanism where the viral genome is packaged into a pre-formed protein shell.

ESCRT pathway

A cellular machinery involved in the budding and release of enveloped viruses from the plasma membrane.

L-domain

Short amino acid motifs in viral proteins that interact with host ESCRT components to promote budding.

Maturation

The final modifications required for an immature virus particle to become infectious.

Proteolytic processing

The cleavage of viral polyproteins into functional protein units necessary for maturation.

Direct cell-to-cell spread

A method of viral transmission where viruses move between adjacent cells without exposure to extracellular environment.

Virological synapse

An area of close contact between infected and uninfected cells that facilitates viral spread.

Gag polyprotein

The precursor protein from which various structural proteins of retroviruses are derived and includes enzymes necessary for replication.