Plasma Membrane Is the Site of Productive HIV-1 Particle Assembly
2006
HIV Particle Assembly at the Plasma Membrane
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Nolwenn Jouvenet, Paul Bieniasz
Hypothesis
Where does HIV assemble in the cell?
Conclusion
The study confirms that HIV particle assembly occurs at the plasma membrane, not in endosomes.
Supporting Evidence
- Gag proteins were found at the plasma membrane, indicating assembly occurs there.
- Blocking endosome movement did not affect HIV assembly.
- Gag proteins targeted to the plasma membrane assembled and released virions efficiently.
Takeaway
HIV makes copies of itself at the surface of cells, not in the cell's internal compartments.
Methodology
The authors used pharmacological, genetic, biochemical, and microscopic approaches to study HIV assembly.
Participant Demographics
The study involved standard experimental cell line (293T cells) and macrophages.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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