Mechanisms of virus assembly

TL;DR

This review discusses the physical principles, thermodynamics, and kinetics of virus capsid assembly, including experimental and theoretical methods, highlighting recent advances and future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and models of virus assembly, integrating experimental data with theoretical frameworks.

Findings

Capsid assembly involves complex thermodynamic and kinetic processes.

Assembly mechanisms differ when involving nucleic acids or lipid membranes.

Recent techniques have advanced understanding of virus assembly processes.

Abstract

Viruses are nanoscale entities containing a nucleic acid genome encased in a protein shell called a capsid, and in some cases surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane. This review summarizes the physics that govern the processes by which capsids assembles within their host cells and in vitro. We describe the thermodynamics and kinetics for assembly of protein subunits into icosahedral capsid shells, and how these are modified in cases where the capsid assembles around a nucleic acid or on a lipid bilayer. We present experimental and theoretical techniques that have been used to characterize capsid assembly, and we highlight aspects of virus assembly which are likely to receive significant attention in the near future.