Structural highlights
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Function
[NCAP_VSIVA] Encapsidates the genome in a ratio of one N per nine ribonucleotides, protecting it from nucleases. The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the NC and serves as template for transcription and replication. Replication is dependent on intracellular concentration of newly synthesized N, termed N(0), which corresponds to the protein not associated with RNA. In contrast, when associated with RNA, it is termed N. During replication, encapsidation by N(0) is coupled to RNA synthesis and all replicative products are resistant to nucleases (By similarity).
Publication Abstract from PubMed
The transcription and replication machinery of negative-stranded RNA viruses presents a possible target for interference in the viral life cycle. We demonstrate the validity of this concept through the use of cytosolically expressed single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs) that protect cells from a lytic infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by targeting the viral nucleoprotein N. We define the binding sites for two such VHHs, 1004 and 1307, by X-ray crystallography to better understand their inhibitory properties. We found that VHH 1307 competes with the polymerase cofactor P for binding and thus inhibits replication and mRNA transcription, while binding of VHH 1004 likely only affects genome replication. The functional relevance of these epitopes is confirmed by the isolation of escape mutants able to replicate in the presence of the inhibitory VHHs. The escape mutations allow identification of the binding site of a third VHH that presumably competes with P for binding at another site than 1307. Collectively, these binding sites uncover different features on the N protein surface that may be suitable for antiviral intervention.
Vesicular stomatitis virus N protein-specific single-domain antibody fragments inhibit replication.,Hanke L, Schmidt FI, Knockenhauer KE, Morin B, Whelan SP, Schwartz TU, Ploegh HL EMBO Rep. 2017 Apr 10. pii: e201643764. doi: 10.15252/embr.201643764. PMID:28396572[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
See Also
References
- ↑ Hanke L, Schmidt FI, Knockenhauer KE, Morin B, Whelan SP, Schwartz TU, Ploegh HL. Vesicular stomatitis virus N protein-specific single-domain antibody fragments inhibit replication. EMBO Rep. 2017 Apr 10. pii: e201643764. doi: 10.15252/embr.201643764. PMID:28396572 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15252/embr.201643764
