FIG. 6.

Model for hnRNP A2/A2RE-mediated intracellular trafficking of HIV RNAs. gag RNA (green squiggles) and vpr RNA (red squiggles) both contain A2RE-like sequences that bind to hnRNP A2 (blue spheres) in the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, multiple gag and vpr RNA molecules, with hnRNP A2 associated, coassemble into granules (orange spheres). Granules containing both gag and vpr RNA are transported to the plus ends of microtubules in the periphery of the cell where the Gag protein (green spheres) and the Vpr protein (red spheres) are cotranslated. Gag and Vpr proteins coassemble with HIV genomic RNA (green squiggles) into virions at the plasma membrane.