uncoating of virus

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process by which an incoming virus is disassembled in the host cell to release a replication-competent viral genome. [GOC:plm, ISBN:0781702534, PMID:8162442]

Uncoating is a crucial step in the viral life cycle, allowing the virus to release its genetic material into the host cell. It follows attachment and entry, where the virus binds to the cell surface and gains access to the cytoplasm. Uncoating begins with the disruption of the viral envelope, the outer layer of the virus, which is composed of lipids, proteins, and sometimes glycoproteins. This disruption can be triggered by various mechanisms depending on the type of virus. For enveloped viruses, the process often involves fusion of the viral envelope with the cell membrane, mediated by viral fusion proteins. This fusion allows the viral capsid, a protein shell surrounding the genetic material, to enter the cytoplasm. In non-enveloped viruses, uncoating often involves the breakdown of the capsid through enzymatic degradation or conformational changes triggered by the host cell environment. Once the capsid is disrupted, the viral genome, either DNA or RNA, is released into the cytoplasm, ready to initiate the next stage of the viral life cycle: replication. The process of uncoating is highly specific, often requiring interaction with host cell factors and specific cellular compartments. It is a critical step in the viral life cycle, as it allows the virus to escape the protective coat and gain access to the cellular machinery necessary for replication.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (3)