"Mimicking Karyopherin Engagement: HIV Capsids and Nuclear Pores"

Researchers have discovered that the HIV-1 capsid, composed of capsid protein (CA) molecules, can autonomously target and enter nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) without the assistance of host nuclear transport receptors (NTRs). The capsid's interaction with specialized FG motifs in nuclear pore proteins allows it to effectively traverse the NPC barrier and enter the nucleus, challenging previous assumptions about its uncoating in the cytoplasm. This finding sheds light on the mechanism of HIV-1 infection in non-dividing cells and provides insights into the interplay between retroviruses and the host cell's nuclear transport machinery.