VP24

Introduction

VP24 is a protein present in the ebola and marburg viruses, both of which are members of Filoviridae family. Presently there are five strains of ebola: Sudan, Reston, Zire, Bundibugyo, and Taï Forest, each with minor differences in VP24 sequences(3). The marburg virus has only one strain.

Function

Ebola

In a normal immune response interferons (IFN) are produced to alert surrounding cells of the presence of a pathogen. This response activates STAT1, which increases production of immune fighting genes in cells, by phosphorylation. STAT1 is brought to the nucleus by karyopherin α proteins. Ebola protein VP24 binds to karyopherin α1, α5, and α6, making it unable to transport the P-STAT1 to the nucleus. As a result the immune response in cells is then greatly weakened. The Reston strain is not immuno_____, unlike the other four.

Marburg

Structural Characteristics

The ebola and marburg VP24 proteins are 30% identical. They share a similar pyramidal shape, as well as a few structures. Both viruses have two highly conserved pockets underneath the "pyramid's" base. Additionally, the N termini of ebola (Zaire) and the marburg virus are _____.

(Reston)

VP24 is crucial for proper functioni of the viral nucleoprotein