Distinct stabilization of the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 immature Gag lattice.
Obr, M., Percipalle, M., Chernikova, D., Yang, H., Thader, A., Pinke, G., Porley, D., Mansky, L.M., Dick, R.A., Schur, F.K.M.(2024) Nat Struct Mol Biol 
- PubMed: 39242978 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-024-01390-8
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
8PU6, 8PU7, 8PU8, 8PU9, 8PUA, 8PUB, 8PUC, 8PUD, 8PUE, 8PUF, 8PUG, 8PUH - PubMed Abstract: 
Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) immature particles differ in morphology from other retroviruses, suggesting a distinct way of assembly. Here we report the results of cryo-electron tomography studies of HTLV-1 virus-like particles assembled in vitro, as well as derived from cells. This work shows that HTLV-1 uses a distinct mechanism of Gag-Gag interactions to form the immature viral lattice. Analysis of high-resolution structural information from immature capsid (CA) tubular arrays reveals that the primary stabilizing component in HTLV-1 is the N-terminal domain of CA. Mutagenesis analysis supports this observation. This distinguishes HTLV-1 from other retroviruses, in which the stabilization is provided primarily by the C-terminal domain of CA. These results provide structural details of the quaternary arrangement of Gag for an immature deltaretrovirus and this helps explain why HTLV-1 particles are morphologically distinct.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Klosterneuburg, Austria.