title: Electron microscopic study of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) core structure: two RNA strands in the core of mature and budding particles.
abstract: The basic structure of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been investigated morphologically; however, the internal structure of HIV-1 core is not well understood. We studied the internal structures by transmission electron microscopy. We modified the method for electron staining of ultrathin sections and processed electron microscopic photographs using a computer. We confirmed that a mature HIV-1 particle had two copies of RNA strands in a cone-shaped core. These two RNA strands formed a coiling structure and interwound each other, and were already present in the late budding stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takasaki
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kurane
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aihara
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohkawa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D015497:HIV-1 / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral