FIG. 2.

Tegument proteins help deliver the HCMV genome-containing capsid to the nucleus during the viral entry process. (A) Signals initiated upon receptor binding induce cellular antiviral responses but may also prime the cell for subsequent events during viral entry. (B) Capsid-associated tegument proteins UL47 and UL48 (and perhaps pp150) direct capsids along microtubules (MTs) toward nuclear pore complexes. Cellular motor proteins such as dynein (not shown) likely assist this transport. (C) A subset of tegument proteins (such as pp65 and pp71) is transported to the nucleus independently of capsids. (D) Capsids eventually dissociate from microtubules, dock at nuclear pores, and release their DNA into the nucleus. The role of tegument proteins in this process is implicated but has not been described in detail.