Virus Uncoating and Nuclear Import

Dear Colleagues,

A main goal of all viruses is deliver a replication competent genome to the correct cell location at the appropriate time in order assure its efficient and timely replication. All viruses, enveloped and non-enveloped, protect their genome inside a highly organized proteinaceous shell referred to as a capsid or core whose main function is protect the genome during virus transit from one cell or organism to another. When these virus capsids are delivered into naive host cells a series of predetermined priming and disassembly steps ensue.

Our understanding of virus priming and uncoating mechanisms is expanding garnering a new found appreciation of uncoating as a complex, highly orchestrated, multi-step process that relies on both viral and cellular factors. For this special issue of Viruses we look to assemble a collection of research papers and reviews that together offer a comprehensive view on the rapidly evolving fields of virus priming and uncoating mechanisms. Topics may include studies on various stages of virus uncoating, identification of new virus priming steps, cell-triggers of virus priming (pH, proteases), biochemical or structural studies of genome uncoating, mechanisms of cell-mediated genome uncoating, capsid disassembly and transport, genome delivery and viral genome imaging techniques.

We hope this work will enrich and expand our current understanding of virus priming and genome uncoating mechanisms thereby providing an additional basis for virus classification and possibly anti-viral development.

Dr. Jason Mercer
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Virus priming
• Virus uncoating
• Genome delivery
• Virion capsid transport
• Virion capsid disassembly
• Viral genome visualization
• Cell factors and uncoating
• Viral uncoating and therapeutics