Biomolecular Condensates at the Crossroads of HIV Infection and Immune Evasion

Nuclear entry of HIV-1 viral cores triggers the formation of phase-separated membraneless organelles called HIV-1-MLOs. Numerous unknowns remain regarding the persistence, in vivo formation, and function of these recently discovered condensates. New evidence shows that HIV-1-MLOs can persist stably for several weeks in infected cells and that their presence precedes the viral genome expression. These new results are accompanied by the first in vivo observation of HIV-1-MLOs, which have only been described in vitro until now. Additional evidence demonstrates that HIV-1-MLOs are the main hub of nuclear reverse transcription for a wild-type virus and shield viral genomes from innate immunity. Intriguingly, empty viral cores-likely remnants following the completion of reverse transcription-have been observed, challenging the classical view of uncoating as the complete disassembly of the viral core shell.