Freisetzung von Herpesviruskapsiden aus dem Kern

Herpesvirus nucleocapsids are formed in the nucleus but mature into virions in the cytoplasm. Canonical nucleo-cytoplasmic transport is restricted to the nuclear pore which is too small for passage of the ca. 120 nm nucleocapsid. Therefore, herpesviruses use a special, vesicle-mediated transfer by budding of nucleocapsids at the inner nuclear membrane involving a heterodimeric viral protein complex followed by fusion with the outer nuclear membrane. A similar cellular mechanism might exist allowing other large cargo to leave the nucleus.