Incorporation of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus capsid vertex-specific component (CVSC) into self-assembled capsids.

•First biochemical studies that examine and discover interactions of the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) capsid vertex-specific component proteins with themselves and with the triplex complex and capsid shell.•Use of an ex-vivo self assembly system to investigate interactions of the KSHV capsid and vertex complex.•New insight into the mode of incorporation of the capsid vertex-specific component specified by ORF19 and ORF32 into the assembled structure.