scholarly journals Assembly of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus RNA Packaging Signal into Virus-Like Particles Is Nucleocapsid Dependent

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (22) ◽  
pp. 13848-13855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping-Kun Hsieh ◽  
Shin C. Chang ◽  
Chu-Chun Huang ◽  
Ting-Ting Lee ◽  
Ching-Wen Hsiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Packaging Signal ◽  
Virus Like Particles ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna

ABSTRACT The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was recently identified as the etiology of SARS. The virus particle consists of four structural proteins: spike (S), small envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N). Recognition of a specific sequence, termed the packaging signal (PS), by a virus N protein is often the first step in the assembly of viral RNA, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the assembly of SARS-CoV RNA are not clear. In this study, Vero E6 cells were cotransfected with plasmids encoding the four structural proteins of SARS-CoV. This generated virus-like particles (VLPs) of SARS-CoV that can be partially purified on a discontinuous sucrose gradient from the culture medium. The VLPs bearing all four of the structural proteins have a density of about 1.132 g/cm3. Western blot analysis of the culture medium from transfection experiments revealed that both E and M expressed alone could be released in sedimentable particles and that E and M proteins are likely to form VLPs when they are coexpressed. To examine the assembly of the viral genomic RNA, a plasmid representing the GFP-PS580 cDNA fragment encompassing the viral genomic RNA from nucleotides 19715 to 20294 inserted into the 3′ noncoding region of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was constructed and applied to the cotransfection experiments with the four structural proteins. The SARS-CoV VLPs thus produced were designated VLP(GFP-PS580). Expression of GFP was detected in Vero E6 cells infected with the VLP(GFP-PS580), indicating that GFP-PS580 RNA can be assembled into the VLPs. Nevertheless, when Vero E6 cells were infected with VLPs produced in the absence of the viral N protein, no green fluorescence was visualized. These results indicate that N protein has an essential role in the packaging of SARS-CoV RNA. A filter binding assay and competition analysis further demonstrated that the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the SARS-CoV N protein each contain a binding activity specific to the viral RNA. Deletions that presumably disrupt the structure of the N-terminal domain diminished its RNA-binding activity. The GFP-PS-containing SARS-CoV VLPs are powerful tools for investigating the tissue tropism and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV.

scholarly journals Hantavirus N Protein Exhibits Genus-Specific Recognition of the Viral RNA Panhandle

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (22) ◽  
pp. 11283-11292 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Mir ◽  
B. Brown ◽  
B. Hjelle ◽  
W. A. Duran ◽  
A. T. Panganiban
Keyword(s):  
Viral Rna ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
N Protein ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
The Andes ◽  
The Family ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna ◽  
Negative Sense

ABSTRACT A key genomic characteristic that helps define Hantavirus as a genus of the family Bunyaviridae is the presence of distinctive terminal complementary nucleotides that promote the folding of the viral genomic segments into “panhandle” hairpin structures. The hantavirus nucleocapsid protein (N protein), which is encoded by the smallest of the three negative-sense genomic RNA segments, undergoes in vivo and in vitro trimerization. Trimeric hantavirus N protein specifically recognizes the panhandle structure formed by complementary base sequence of 5′ and 3′ ends of viral genomic RNA. N protein trimers from the Andes, Puumala, Prospect Hill, Seoul, and Sin Nombre viruses recognize their individual homologous panhandles as well as other hantavirus panhandles with high affinity. In contrast, these hantavirus N proteins bind with markedly reduced affinity to the panhandles from the genera Bunyavirus, Tospovirus, and Phlebovirus or Nairovirus. Interactions between most hantavirus N and heterologous hantavirus viral RNA panhandles are mediated by the nine terminal conserved nucleotides of the panhandle, whereas Sin Nombre virus N requires the first 23 nucleotides for high-affinity binding. Trimeric hantavirus N complexes undergo a prominent conformational change while interacting with panhandles from members of the genus Hantavirus but not while interacting with panhandles from viruses of other genera of the family Bunyaviridae. These data indicate that high-affinity interactions between trimeric N and hantavirus panhandles are conserved within the genus Hantavirus.

scholarly journals Ebola Virus VP35-VP40 Interaction Is Sufficient for Packaging 3E-5E Minigenome RNA into Virus-Like Particles

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 5135-5144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed F. Johnson ◽  
Sarah E. McCarthy ◽  
Peter J. Godlewski ◽  
Ronald N. Harty
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
Virus Like Particles ◽  
Rna Complexes ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna ◽  
Two Hybrid

ABSTRACT The packaging of viral genomic RNA into nucleocapsids and subsequently into virions is not completely understood. Phosphoprotein (P) and nucleoprotein (NP) interactions link NP-RNA complexes with P-L (polymerase) complexes to form viral nucleocapsids. The nucleocapsid then interacts with the viral matrix protein, leading to specific packaging of the nucleocapsid into the virion. A mammalian two-hybrid assay and confocal microscopy were used to demonstrate that Ebola virus VP35 and VP40 interact and colocalize in transfected cells. VP35 was packaged into budding virus-like particles (VLPs) as observed by protease protection assays. Moreover, VP40 and VP35 were sufficient for packaging an Ebola virus minignome RNA into VLPs. Results from immunoprecipitation-reverse transcriptase PCR experiments suggest that VP35 confers specificity of the nucleocapsid for viral genomic RNA by direct VP35-RNA interactions.

scholarly journals The arterivirus replicase is the only viral protein required for genome replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription

2000 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2491-2496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Molenkamp ◽  
Hans van Tol ◽  
Babette C. D. Rozier ◽  
Yvonne van der Meer ◽  
Willy J. M. Spaan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Mrna Transcription ◽  
Replication Complex ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Wild Type Phenotype

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) (Arteriviridae) encodes several structural proteins. Whether any of these also function in viral RNA synthesis is unknown. For the related mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV), it has been suggested that the nucleocapsid protein (N) is involved in viral RNA synthesis. As described for MHV, we established that the EAV N protein colocalizes with the viral replication complex, suggesting a role in RNA synthesis. Using an infectious cDNA clone, point mutations and deletions were engineered in the EAV genome to disrupt the expression of each of the structural genes. All structural proteins, including N, were found to be dispensable for genome replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription. We also constructed a mutant in which translation of the intraleader ORF was disrupted. This mutant had a wild-type phenotype, indicating that, at least in cell culture, the product of this ORF does not play a role in the EAV replication cycle.

scholarly journals The method utilized to purify the SARS-CoV-2 N protein can affect its molecular properties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Tarczewska ◽  
Marta Kolonko-Adamska ◽  
Mirosław Zarębski ◽  
Jerzy W Dobrucki ◽  
Andrzej Ożyhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Nucleocapsid Protein ◽  
Basic Function ◽  
Molecular Properties ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Purification Methods ◽  
Purification Protocol

One of the main structural proteins of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the nucleocapsid protein (N). The basic function of this protein is to bind genomic RNA and to form a protective nucleocapsid in the mature virion. The intrinsic ability of the N protein to interact with nucleic acids makes its purification very challenging. Therefore, typically employed purification methods appear to be insufficient for removing nucleic acid contamination. In this study, we present a novel purification protocol that enables the N protein to be prepared without any bound nucleic acids. We also performed comparative structural analysis of the N protein contaminated with nucleic acids and free of contamination and showed significant differences in the structural and phase separation properties of the protein. These results indicate that nucleic-acid contamination may severely affect molecular properties of the purified N protein. In addition, the notable ability of the N protein to form condensates whose morphology and behaviour suggest more ordered forms resembling gel-like or solid structures is described.

scholarly journals Nucleocapsid-Independent Specific Viral RNA Packaging via Viral Envelope Protein and Viral RNA Signal

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 2922-2927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Narayanan ◽  
Chun-Jen Chen ◽  
Junko Maeda ◽  
Shinji Makino
Keyword(s):  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Viral Envelope Protein ◽  
Rna Packaging ◽  
Packaging Signal ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Enveloped Virus ◽  
Rna Transcripts ◽  
Selective Interaction

ABSTRACT For any of the enveloped RNA viruses studied to date, recognition of a specific RNA packaging signal by the virus's nucleocapsid (N) protein is the first step described in the process of viral RNA packaging. In the murine coronavirus a selective interaction between the viral transmembrane envelope protein M and the viral ribonucleoprotein complex, composed of N protein and viral RNA containing a short cis-acting RNA element, the packaging signal, determines the selective RNA packaging into virus particles. In this report we show that expressed coronavirus envelope protein M specifically interacted with coexpressed noncoronavirus RNA transcripts containing the short viral packaging signal in the absence of coronavirus N protein. Furthermore, this M protein-packaging signal interaction led to specific packaging of the packaging signal-containing RNA transcripts into coronavirus-like particles in the absence of N protein. These findings not only highlight a novel RNA packaging mechanism for an enveloped virus, where the specific RNA packaging can occur without the core or N protein, but also point to a new, biologically important general model of precise and selective interaction between transmembrane proteins and specific RNA elements.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of Rubella Virus Capsid Regulates Its RNA Binding Activity and Virus Replication

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 1764-1771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lok Man J. Law ◽  
Jason C. Everitt ◽  
Martin D. Beatch ◽  
Charles F. B. Holmes ◽  
Tom C. Hobman
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Rubella Virus ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Virus Assembly ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT Rubella virus is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus of the family Togaviridae. Virions are composed of three structural proteins: a capsid and two membrane-spanning glycoproteins, E2 and E1. During virus assembly, the capsid interacts with genomic RNA to form nucleocapsids. In the present study, we have investigated the role of capsid phosphorylation in virus replication. We have identified a single serine residue within the RNA binding region that is required for normal phosphorylation of this protein. The importance of capsid phosphorylation in virus replication was demonstrated by the fact that recombinant viruses encoding hypophosphorylated capsids replicated at much lower titers and were less cytopathic than wild-type virus. Nonphosphorylated mutant capsid proteins exhibited higher affinities for viral RNA than wild-type phosphorylated capsids. Capsid protein isolated from wild-type strain virions bound viral RNA more efficiently than cell-associated capsid. However, the RNA-binding activity of cell-associated capsids increased dramatically after treatment with phosphatase, suggesting that the capsid is dephosphorylated during virus assembly. In vitro assays indicate that the capsid may be a substrate for protein phosphatase 1A. As capsid is heavily phosphorylated under conditions where virus assembly does not occur, we propose that phosphorylation serves to negatively regulate binding of viral genomic RNA. This may delay the initiation of nucleocapsid assembly until sufficient amounts of virus glycoproteins accumulate at the budding site and/or prevent nonspecific binding to cellular RNA when levels of genomic RNA are low. It follows that at a late stage in replication, the capsid may undergo dephosphorylation before nucleocapsid assembly occurs.

scholarly journals Different tertiary interactions create the same important 3-D features in a divergent flavivirus xrRNA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Jones ◽  
Anna-Lena Steckelberg ◽  
Matthew J. Szucs ◽  
Benjamin M. Akiyama ◽  
Quentin Vicens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
X Ray ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Tertiary Interactions ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACTDuring infection by a flavivirus (FV), cells accumulate noncoding subgenomic flavivirus RNAs (sfRNAs) that interfere with several antiviral pathways. These sfRNAs are formed by structured RNA elements in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the viral genomic RNA, which block the progression of host cell exoribonucleases that have targeted the viral RNA for destruction. Previous work on these exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs (xrRNAs) from mosquito-borne FVs revealed a specific 3-dimensional fold with a unique topology in which a ring-like structure protectively encircles the 5′ end of the xrRNA. Conserved nucleotides make specific tertiary interactions that support this fold. Examination of more divergent FVs reveals differences in their 3′ UTR sequences, raising the question of whether they contain xrRNAs and if so, how they fold. To answer this, we demonstrated the presence of an authentic xrRNA in the 3′ UTR of the Tamana Bat Virus (TABV) and solved its structure by x-ray crystallography. The structure reveals conserved features from previously characterized xrRNAs, but in the TABV version these features are created through a novel set of tertiary interactions not previously seen in xrRNAs. This includes two important A-C interactions, four distinct backbone kinks, several ordered Mg2+ ions, and a C+-G-C base triple. The discovery that the same overall architecture can be achieved by very different sequences and interactions in distantly related flaviviruses provides insight into the diversity of this type of RNA and will inform searches for undiscovered xrRNAs in viruses and beyond.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein forms condensates with viral genomic RNA

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. e3001425
Author(s):  
Amanda Jack ◽  
Luke S. Ferro ◽  
Michael J. Trnka ◽  
Eddie Wehri ◽  
Amrut Nadgir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Rna Genome ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic that seriously threatens global health. SARS-CoV-2 propagates by packaging its RNA genome into membrane enclosures in host cells. The packaging of the viral genome into the nascent virion is mediated by the nucleocapsid (N) protein, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that the N protein forms biomolecular condensates with viral genomic RNA both in vitro and in mammalian cells. While the N protein forms spherical assemblies with homopolymeric RNA substrates that do not form base pairing interactions, it forms asymmetric condensates with viral RNA strands. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) identified a region that forms interactions between N proteins in condensates, and truncation of this region disrupts phase separation. We also identified small molecules that alter the formation of N protein condensates and inhibit the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 in infected cells. These results suggest that the N protein may utilize biomolecular condensation to package the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome into a viral particle.

scholarly journals Recombinant scFv Antibodies against E Protein and N Protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Virus

2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 541-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Liu ◽  
Yan-Li Ding ◽  
Wei Han ◽  
Mei-Yun Liu ◽  
Rui-Yang Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Scfv Antibody ◽  
Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Recombinant Scfv ◽  
E Protein ◽  
Equilibrium Dissociation ◽  
Site Binding

Abstract Three single chain antibodies (scFv) against the proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) were isolated by phage display from an scFv antibody library. Bio-panning was carried out against immobilized purified envelope (E) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins of SARS-CoV. Their binding activity and specificity to E or N protein of SARS-CoV were characterized by phage-ELISA. Two of them, B10 and C20, could recognize non-overlapping epitopes of the E protein according to the two-site binding test result. Clone A17 could recognize N protein. The sequence of the epitope or overlapping epitope of scFv antibody A17 was PTDSTDNNQNGGRNGARPKQRRPQ. The affinity (equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd) of SARS-CoV E protein was 5.7×10−8 M for B10 and 8.9×10−8 M for C20. The affinity of A17 for N protein was 2.1×10−6 M. All three scFv antibodies were purified with affinity chromatography and determined by Western blot.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document