FIG 11.

Model of the formation of KSHV soccer ball-like capsids and the mature KSHV capsid formation process. (A) The model describing the soccer ball-like capsid as an intermediate formed during procapsid to C-capsid maturation. The soccer ball-like capsid is an intermediate in the formation of mature C-capsids. (B) The model predicting that the soccer ball-like capsid is a by-product in the process of KSHV capsid formation. The process of normal maturation from the procapsid to the C-capsid does not include the soccer ball-like capsid state. If capsid maturation fails (e.g., due to a lack of ORF7), soccer ball-like capsids are accumulated as a by-product.