Tegument proteins involved in lytic replication cycle of human cytomegalovirus

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the Betaherpesvirinae sub-family of Herpesviridae family and has the classical herpesvirus structure and cascade of gene expression.Between the capsid and envelop is a layer called tegument,which is composed of many viral or cellular proteins and RNAs.The proteins are called tegument proteins.With multiple functions,tegument proteins also comprise majority of virion proteins.This review focuses on functional roles that tegument proteins play during HCMV infection,including viral entry,gene expression,immune evasion as well as assembly and release. Key words: Cytomegalovirus ;  Tegument proteins ;  Gene expression;  Virus assembly;  Immune escape