Single HIV-1 Imaging Reveals Progression of Infection through CA-Dependent Steps of Docking at the Nuclear Pore, Uncoating, and Nuclear Transport

Publication date: 11 April 2018
Source:Cell Host & Microbe, Volume 23, Issue 4
Author(s): Ashwanth C. Francis, Gregory B. Melikyan
The HIV-1 core consists of capsid proteins (CA) surrounding viral genomic RNA. After virus-cell fusion, the core enters the cytoplasm and the capsid shell is lost through uncoating. CA loss precedes nuclear import and HIV integration into the host genome, but the timing and location of uncoating remain unclear. By visualizing single HIV-1 infection, we find that CA is required for core docking at the nuclear envelope (NE), whereas early uncoating in the cytoplasm promotes proteasomal degradation of viral complexes. Only docked cores exhibiting accelerated loss of CA at the NE enter the nucleus. Interestingly, a CA mutation (N74D) altering virus engagement of host factors involved in nuclear transport does not alter the uncoating site at the NE but reduces the nuclear penetration depth. Thus, CA protects HIV-1 complexes from degradation, mediates docking at the nuclear pore before uncoating, and determines the depth of nuclear penetration en route to integration.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

HIV-1 genome is enclosed in a capsid shell composed of CA proteins. By imaging virions labeled with a fluorescent CA marker, Francis and Melikyan reveal that premature CA loss leads to proteasomal degradation of viral complexes, whereas CA release at the nuclear pore results in nuclear entry and productive integration.


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