Proceeding inward, the viral matrix protein forms a layer just under the lipid bilayer. The structure of this layer has been controversial. Figure 1 shows one proposal, hexagonal packing of MA trimers (yellow) [1]. The movie shows an MA hexamer bound to a modeled membrane.
- ↑ Alfadhli A, Barklis RL, Barklis E. 2009. HIV-1 matrix organizes as a hexamer of trimers on membranes containing phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate. Virology 387: 466-472.
Hexagonal packing of MA trimers (yellow)
MA hexamer bound to a modeled membrane