scholarly journals A bioactive phlebovirus-like envelope protein in a hookworm endogenous virus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique K Merchant ◽  
Carlos Perez Mata ◽  
Yangci Liu ◽  
Haoming Zhai ◽  
Anna V Protasio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Protein Fold ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Endogenous Virus ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Membrane Fusion Protein ◽  
New Genes ◽  
Endogenous Viral Elements ◽  
Viral Membrane Fusion

Endogenous viral elements (EVEs), accounting for 15% of our genome, serve as a genetic reservoir from which new genes can emerge. Nematode EVEs are particularly diverse and informative of virus evolution. We identify Atlas virus - an intact retrovirus-like EVE in the human hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum, with an envelope protein genetically related to GN-GC glycoproteins from phleboviruses. A cryo-EM structure of Atlas GC reveals a class II viral membrane fusion protein fold not previously seen in retroviruses. Atlas GC has the structural hallmarks of an active fusogen. Atlas GC trimers insert into membranes with endosomal lipid compositions and low pH. When expressed on the plasma membrane, Atlas GC has cell-cell fusion activity. RNA-Seq data analysis detected transcripts mapping to Atlas virus at different stages of hookworm development. With its preserved biological activities, Atlas GC has the potential to acquire a cellular function. Our work reveals structural plasticity in reverse-transcribing RNA viruses.

scholarly journals Shielding and activation of a viral membrane fusion protein

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steinar Halldorsson ◽  
Sai Li ◽  
Mengqiu Li ◽  
Karl Harlos ◽  
Thomas A. Bowden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Membrane Fusion Protein ◽  
Viral Membrane Fusion

scholarly journals Physical Aspects of Viral Membrane Fusion

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 764-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Wessels ◽  
Keith Weninger
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Cell Penetration ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Membrane Fusion Protein ◽  
Viral Membrane Fusion

Enveloped viruses commonly employ membrane fusion during cell penetration in order to deliver their genetic material across the cell boundary. Large conformational changes in the proteins embedded in the viral membrane play a fundamental role in the membrane fusion process. Despite the tremendously wide variety of viruses that contain membranes, it appears that they all contain membrane fusion protein machinery with a remarkably conserved mechanism of action. Much of our current biochemical understanding of viral membrane fusion has been derived from high-resolution structural studies and solution-basedin vitroassays in which viruses fuse with liposomes or cells. Recently, single-particle experiments have been used to provide measurements of details not available in the bulk assays. Here we focus our discussion on the key dynamical aspects of fusion protein structure, along with some of the experimental and computational techniques presently being used to investigate viral-mediated membrane fusion.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Analysis of Ginkgo biloba L. Leaves across Late Developmental Stages Based on RNA-Seq and Co-Expression Network

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 315
Author(s):  
Hailin Liu ◽  
Xin Han ◽  
Jue Ruan ◽  
Lian Xu ◽  
Bing He
Keyword(s):  
Ginkgo Biloba ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Final Size ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
New Genes ◽  
Gene Modules

The final size of plant leaves is strictly controlled by environmental and genetic factors, which coordinate cell expansion and cell cycle activity in space and time; however, the regulatory mechanisms of leaf growth are still poorly understood. Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious species native to China with medicinally and phylogenetically important characteristics, and its fan-shaped leaves are unique in gymnosperms, while the mechanism of G. biloba leaf development remains unclear. In this study we studied the transcriptome of G. biloba leaves at three developmental stages using high-throughput RNA-seq technology. Approximately 4167 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, and a total of 12,137 genes were structure optimized together with 732 new genes identified. More than 50 growth-related factors and gene modules were identified based on DEG and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. These results could remarkably expand the existing transcriptome resources of G. biloba, and provide references for subsequent analysis of ginkgo leaf development.

scholarly journals Viral membrane fusion

Virology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 479-480 ◽  
pp. 498-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Viral Membrane Fusion

scholarly journals Treatment of influenza virus with Beta-propiolactone alters viral membrane fusion

2014 ◽  
Vol 1838 (1) ◽  
pp. 355-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bonnafous ◽  
Marie-Claire Nicolaï ◽  
Jean-Christophe Taveau ◽  
Michel Chevalier ◽  
Fabienne Barrière ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Viral Membrane Fusion

Insights into a Structure-Based Mechanism of Viral Membrane Fusion

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danika L. LeDuc ◽  
Yeon-Kyun Shin
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
General Structure ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Induced Membrane ◽  
Alternative Scenario ◽  
Influenza Hemagglutinin ◽  
Hiv Gp120 ◽  
Viral Membrane Fusion ◽  
Spike Proteins

A number of different viral spike proteins, responsible for membrane fusion, show striking similarities in their core structures. The prospect of developing a general structure-based mechanism seems plausible in light of these newly determined structures. Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is the best-studied fusion machine, whose action has previously been described by a hypothetical “spring-loaded” model. This model has recently been extended to explain the mechanism of other systems, such as HIV gp120–gp41. However, evidence supporting this idea is insufficient, requiring re-examination of the mechanism of HA-induced membrane fusion. Recent experiments with a shortened construct of HA, which is able to induce lipid mixing, have provided evidence for an alternative scenario for HA-induced membrane fusion and perhaps that of other viral systems.

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