FIG 3.

Topographic AFM images of the morphological changes that HIV-1 cores treated with 10 μM PF74 undergo during reverse transcription. Cores were adhered to HMDS-coated glass slides and kept in MOPS buffer. Transcription was initiated by adding dNTPs and MgCl₂ to the cores. Images were acquired using the QI mode. (A and B) Typical cone-shaped cores observed prior to reverse transcription (out of a total of 18 cores that were imaged). (C to F) Deformed and opened cores visualized after 9 to 24 h of reverse transcription. For clarity, openings in the cores are shown within a dashed yellow rectangle. Scale bar, 50 nm. A total of 49 cores were visualized during reverse transcription.