HBV Capsid Assembly

HBV capsids assemble in the cell-free system via a single high molecular weight assembly intermediate:

In a wheat germ cell-free system Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein assembles into paricles that are indistinguishable from authentic HBV capsids by biochemical and morphologic criteria (fig. 8). Dissection of this cell-free system reveals that HBV capsids assemble via a single large assembly intermediate that can be isolated and "chased" to form completed capsids. Cellular factors that have yet to be defined are present in this high molecular weight complex.

HBV Capsid Assembly | HCV Capsid Assembly | HIV-1 Capsid Assembly