Maturation

Definition

Maturation is the process by which viral particles undergo structural changes to become fully infectious. This step often involves proteolytic cleavage and assembly of viral components.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Maturation typically occurs after the assembly phase in the viral life cycle.
2. Proteases play a crucial role in the maturation process by cleaving viral polyproteins.
3. The maturation process ensures that viral particles are structurally competent for infection.
4. In HIV, maturation involves the cleavage of Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins by the viral protease.
5. Inhibition of viral maturation is a target for antiviral drug development.

Review Questions

• What role do proteases play in viral maturation?
• At what stage in the viral life cycle does maturation occur?
• How does inhibiting maturation affect viral infectivity?

Related terms

Assembly:

The stage where newly synthesized viral components are put together into new virions.

Protease: An enzyme that breaks down proteins and peptides, essential for processing viral polyproteins during maturation.

Virion:

A complete, fully assembled virus particle capable of infecting a host cell.