Figure 2.

Entry of HSV-1 into neurons. HSV-1 enters neuronal cells by attachment and fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane and this process is mediated by viral glycoproteins gB, gD, and gH/gL. During membrane fusion, the HSV-1 envelope and its glycoproteins remain associated with the plasma membrane while most tegument proteins dissociate from the incoming capsid. The capsid with associated inner tegument pUL36, pUL37, and pUS3 traverses the actin cortex and is transported along microtubules towards the MTOC to the nucleus in the cell body. The retrograde transport of incoming capsids to the nucleus is mediated by the cellular motor dynein and requires pUL36 and pUL37. MTOC, microtubule organizing center.