Nature Communications (Jul 2021)

Structural basis for genome packaging, retention, and ejection in human cytomegalovirus

  • Zhihai Li,
  • Jingjing Pang,
  • Lili Dong,
  • Xuekui Yu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24820-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the prototypical member of the β-herpesvirinae subfamily and the leading viral cause of congenital infections that can lead to birth defects and it can also cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. Here, the authors present the in-situ cryo-EM structures of the symmetry-mismatched portal and the capsid vertex-specific components (CVSCs) of HCMV and discuss the mechanistic implications for genome package, retention and ejection.