Uncoating kinetics of hepatitis A virus virions and provirions

When the growth kinetics of immature hepatitis A virus provirions and matur e virions were monitored, distinct eclipse phases were noted for both types of particles. Strikingly, uncoating of virions occurred around 4 h postinf ection, while uncoating of provirions occurred predominantly between 8 and 10 h postinfection. It is proposed that the heterogenous mixture of infecti ous hepatitis A virus particles (virions and provirions) typically present in inocula is responsible for the normally asynchronous nature of hepatitis A virus uncoating kinetics.