A new functional role of HIV-1 integrase during uncoating of the viral core.

An early and critical event of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle is uncoating of the viral core. Uncoating involves the disassembly of HIV-1 capsid (CA). The underlying mechanisms governing uncoating are poorly defined, and the role of viral and host factors in uncoating is not well understood. Cyclophilin A and TRIM5α are two cellular factors that interact with CA in exerting their effects on HIV-1 replication. Here, we review the current understanding of uncoating and the new functional role of HIV-1 IN during uncoating.