Structural highlights
Function
[NCAP_HRSVA] Encapsidates the genome, protecting it from nucleases. The nucleocapsid (NC) has a helical structure. The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the NC and serves as template for transcription and replication. During replication, encapsidation by protein N is coupled to RNA synthesis and all replicative products are resistant to nucleases.[1]
Evolutionary Conservation
Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important human pathogen, yet neither a vaccine nor effective therapies are available to treat infection. To help elucidate the replication mechanism of this RNA virus, we determined the three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure at 3.3 A resolution of a decameric, annular ribonucleoprotein complex of the RSV nucleoprotein (N) bound to RNA. This complex mimics one turn of the viral helical nucleocapsid complex, which serves as template for viral RNA synthesis. The RNA wraps around the protein ring, with seven nucleotides contacting each N subunit, alternating rows of four and three stacked bases that are exposed and buried within a protein groove, respectively. Combined with electron microscopy data, this structure provides a detailed model for the RSV nucleocapsid, in which the bases are accessible for readout by the viral polymerase. Furthermore, the nucleoprotein structure highlights possible key sites for drug targeting.
Crystal structure of a nucleocapsid-like nucleoprotein-RNA complex of respiratory syncytial virus.,Tawar RG, Duquerroy S, Vonrhein C, Varela PF, Damier-Piolle L, Castagne N, MacLellan K, Bedouelle H, Bricogne G, Bhella D, Eleouet JF, Rey FA Science. 2009 Nov 27;326(5957):1279-83. PMID:19965480[2]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
See Also
References
- ↑ Fearns R, Peeples ME, Collins PL. Increased expression of the N protein of respiratory syncytial virus stimulates minigenome replication but does not alter the balance between the synthesis of mRNA and antigenome. Virology. 1997 Sep 15;236(1):188-201. PMID:9299631 doi:10.1006/viro.1997.8734
- ↑ Tawar RG, Duquerroy S, Vonrhein C, Varela PF, Damier-Piolle L, Castagne N, MacLellan K, Bedouelle H, Bricogne G, Bhella D, Eleouet JF, Rey FA. Crystal structure of a nucleocapsid-like nucleoprotein-RNA complex of respiratory syncytial virus. Science. 2009 Nov 27;326(5957):1279-83. PMID:19965480 doi:326/5957/1279
