Mechanism of CHIKV virion budding

Characterize the molecular mechanism by which Chikungunya virus buds from infected cells, clarifying the biophysical and host-factor dependencies that govern virion release.

Background

Virion assembly culminates in budding from host membranes enriched in E1/E2 glycoproteins. Although factors such as pH, temperature, and membrane composition have been implicated, the paper states that the budding mechanism itself remains insufficiently understood.

Defining the budding mechanism would inform antiviral strategies targeting late stages of the viral life cycle.