HIV-1 - 15 PROTEINS AND AN RNA

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is a complex retrovirus encoding 1 5 distinct proteins. Substantial progress has been made toward underst anding the function of each protein, and three-dimensional structures of many components, including portions of the RNA genome, have been de termined. This review describes the function of each component in the context of the viral life cycle: 1:he Gag and Env structural proteins MA (matrix), CA (capsid), NC (nucleocapsid), p6, SU (surface), and TM (transmembrane); the Pol enzymes PR (protease), RT (reverse transcript ase), and IN (integrase); the gene regulatory proteins Tat and Rev; an d the accessory proteins Nef, Vif, Vpr, and Vpu. The review highlights recent biochemical and structural studies that help clarify the mecha nisms of viral assembly, infection, and replication.