SNAREs in HIV-1 assembly

Viruses have a limited number of genes but a complex life cycle and have evolved to utilize numerous host factors to complete their replication. The assembly and budding process of enveloped viruses utilizes numerous cellular factors to facilitate transport from one membrane bound compartment to the other. The host SNARE proteins are widely involved in late stages of vesicular mediated transport by catalyzing the docking and fusion of apposing membranes in the vesicle and target compartment. By generalized disruption of the SNARE sorting machinery, we recently demonstrated a role for these proteins in HIV-1 assembly by affecting Gag localization to the plasma membrane. Whether the observed phenomenon is specifically due to SNARE disruption or generalized disturbance of the cell sorting machinery and the involvement of specific “v” vs. “t” SNAREs in this phenomenon remains to be elucidated.