Build a Paper Model of HIV Capsid
Viruses come in many shapes and sizes, from simple protein shells filled with RNA or DNA to
membrane-enveloped particles that rival cells in complexity. HIV (shown on the right) is one of
these complex viruses, surrounded by a membrane and filled with a diverse collection of viral
and cellular molecules.
The genome of HIV, which is composed of two
strands of RNA, is packaged inside a
distinctive cone-shaped capsid,
which protects the RNA and
delivers it to the cells
that HIV infects.
Image created using data from the PDB archive
PDB ID: 3j3q
Mature HIV-1 capsid structure by cryo-electron microscopy
and all-atom molecular dynamics, G. Zhao, J.R. Perilla,
E.L. Yufenyuy, X. Meng, B. Chen, J. Ning, J. Ahn,
A.M. Gronenborn, K. Schulten, C. Aiken, P. Zhang
(2013) Nature 497: 643–646
structural proteins
and membrane
viral enzymes and
accessory proteins
capsid
For an extra challenge,
try assembling the
model without creasing
on the lines to build a
rounder model that is
more similar to the
actual capsid.
For more:
Read the Molecule of
the Month feature on
HIV Capsid at
dx.doi.org/
10.2210/rcsb_pdb/
mom_2013_7
To build an HIV capsid
at 1,000,000x magnification,
cut out the
model below, fold
along the white lines,
and tape or glue the
gray flaps. Add two
pieces of string inside,
each 3.3 meters long, to
model the RNA strands.
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