After fusion of the viral membrane with the target cell membrane, the viral core, which is surrounded by a layer of Matrix (p17) proteins, is exposed to the cytoplasm. Disintegration of the Matrix layer allows for the conical-shaped viral core to be fully released, and allow for viral capsid dissociation and eventually reverse transcription. Dissociation of the Matrix layer is not well characterized, but is believed to occur due to disruption of protein-protein interactions as a result of the conditions of the cytoplasm (including pH), which differ from that of the internal viral structure.
Orenstein, J, Zhang, H, Pomerantz, RJ, Dornadula, G
Fassati, A, Goff, SP
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