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PubMed1996

Crystal structure of human cyclophilin A bound to the amino-terminal domain of HIV-1 capsid.

The HIV-1 capsid protein forms the conical core structure at the center of the mature virion. Capsid also binds the human peptidyl prolyl isomerase, cyclophilin A, thereby packaging the enzyme into the virion. Cyclophilin A subsequently performs an essential function in HIV-1 replication, possibly helping to disassemble the capsid core upon infection. We report the 2.36 A crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of HIV-1 capsid (residues 1-151) in complex with human cyclophilin A. A single exposed capsid loop (residues 85-93) binds in the enzyme's active site, and Pro-90 adopts an unprecedented trans conformation. The structure suggests how cyclophilin A can act as a sequence-specific binding protein and a nonspecific prolyl isomerase. In the crystal lattice, capsid molecules assemble into continuous planar strips. Side by side association of these strips may allow capsid to form the surface of the viral core. Cyclophilin A could then function by weakening the association between capsid strips, thereby promoting disassembly of the viral core.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗
PubMed2005

Association of sindbis virus capsid protein with phospholipid membranes and the E2 glycoprotein: implications for alphavirus assembly.

A late stage in assembly of alphaviruses within infected cells is thought to be directed by interactions between the nucleocapsid and the cytoplasmic domain of the E2 protein, a component of the viral E1/E2 glycoprotein complex that is embedded in the plasma membrane. Recognition between the nucleocapsid protein and the E2 protein was explored in solution using NMR spectroscopy, as well as in binding assays using a model phospholipid membrane system that incorporated a variety of Sindbis virus E2 cytoplasmic domain (cdE2) and capsid protein constructs. In these binding assays, synthetic cdE2 peptides were reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles to simulate the presentation of cdE2 on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Results from these binding assays showed a direct interaction between a peptide containing the C-terminal 16 amino acids of the cdE2 sequence and a Sindbis virus capsid protein construct containing amino acids 19-264. Additional experiments that probed the sequence specificity of this cdE2-capsid interaction are also described. Further binding assays demonstrated an interaction between the 19-264 capsid protein and artificial vesicles containing neutral or negatively charged phospholipids, while capsid protein constructs with N-terminal truncations displayed either little or no affinity for such vesicles. The membrane-binding property of the capsid protein suggests that the membrane may play an active role in alphavirus assembly. The results are consistent with an assembly process involving an initial membrane association, whereby an association with E2 glycoprotein further enhances capsid binding to facilitate membrane envelopment of the nucleocapsid for budding. Collectively, these experiments elucidate certain requirements for the binding of Sindbis virus capsid protein to the cytoplasmic domain of the E2 glycoprotein, a critical event in the alphavirus maturation pathway.

Alphavirus↗
PubMed2004

Catalysis and binding of cyclophilin A with different HIV-1 capsid constructs.

The prolyl isomerase cyclophilin A (CypA) is required for efficient HIV-1 replication and is incorporated into virions through a binding interaction at the Gly-Pro(222) bond located within the capsid domain of the HIV-1 Gag precursor polyprotein (Pr(gag)). It has recently been shown that CypA efficiently catalyzes the cis/trans isomerization of Gly-Pro(222) within the isolated N-terminal domain of capsid (CA(N)). To address the proposal that CypA interacts with Gly-Pro sequences in the C-terminal domain of a mature capsid, the interaction between CypA and the natively folded, full-length capsid protein (CA(FL)) has been investigated here using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, a fragment of the Pr(gag) protein encoding the full-matrix protein and the N-terminal domain of capsid (MA-CA(N)) has been used to probe the catalytic interaction between CypA and an immature form of the capsid. The results discussed herein strongly suggest that Gly-Pro(222) located within the N-terminal domain of the capsid is the preferential site for CypA binding and catalysis and that catalysis of Gly-Pro(222) is unaffected by maturational processing at the N-terminus of the capsid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

A theoretical model successfully identifies features of hepatitis B virus capsid assembly.

The capsids of most spherical viruses are icosahedral, an arrangement of multiples of 60 subunits. Though it is a salient point in the life cycle of any virus, the physical chemistry of virus capsid assembly is poorly understood. We have developed general models of capsid assembly that describe the process in terms of a cascade of low order association reactions. The models predict sigmoidal assembly kinetics, where intermediates approach a low steady state concentration for the greater part of the reaction. Features of the overall reaction can be identified on the basis of the concentration dependence of assembly. In simulations, and on the basis of our understanding of the models, we find that nucleus size and the order of subsequent "elongation" reactions are reflected in the concentration dependence of the extent of the reaction and the rate of the fast phase, respectively. The reaction kinetics deduced for our models of virus assembly can be related to the assembly of any "spherical" polymer. Using light scattering and size exclusion chromatography, we observed polymerization of assembly domain dimers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid protein. Empty capsids assemble at a rate that is a function of protein concentration and ionic strength. The kinetics of capsid formation were sigmoidal, where the rate of the fast phase had second-power concentration dependence. The extent of assembly had third-power concentration dependence. Simulations based on the models recapitulated the concentration dependences observed for HBV capsid assembly. These results strongly suggest that in vitro HBV assembly is nucleated by a trimer of dimers and proceeds by the addition of individual dimeric subunits. On the basis of this mechanism, we suggest that HBV capsid assembly could be an important target for antiviral therapeutics.

Capsid↗
PubMed2005

Dissecting human cytomegalovirus gene function and capsid maturation by ribozyme targeting and electron cryomicroscopy.

Human CMV (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of birth defects and causes one of the most common opportunistic infections among transplant recipients and AIDS patients. Cleavage of internal scaffolding proteins by the viral protease (Pr) occurs during HCMV capsid assembly. To gain insight into the mechanism of HCMV capsid maturation and the roles of the Pr in viral replication, an RNase P ribozyme was engineered to target the Pr mRNA and down-regulate its expression by >99%, generating premature Pr-minus capsids. Furthermore, scaffolding protein processing and DNA encapsidation were inhibited by 99%, and viral growth was reduced by 10,000-fold. 3D structural comparison of the Pr-minus and wild-type B capsids by electron cryomicroscopy, at an unprecedented 12.5-angstroms resolution, unexpectedly revealed that the structures are identical in their overall shape and organization. However, the Pr-minus capsid contains tenuous connections between the scaffold and the capsid shell, whereas the wild-type B capsid has extra densities in its core that may represent the viral Pr. Our findings indicate that cleavage of the scaffolding protein is not associated with the morphological changes that occur during capsid maturation. Instead, the protease appears to be required for DNA encapsidation and the subsequent maturation steps leading to infectious progeny. These results therefore provide key insights into an essential step of HCMV infection using an RNase P ribozyme-based inhibition strategy.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2005

Targeting of herpesvirus capsid transport in axons is coupled to association with specific sets of tegument proteins.

The capsids of neurotropic herpesviruses have the remarkable ability to move in specific directions within axons. By modulating bidirectional capsid transport to favor either retrograde (minus-end) or anterograde (plus-end) motion, these viruses travel to sensory ganglia or peripheral tissue at specific stages of infection. By using correlative motion analysis to simultaneously monitor the trafficking of distinct viral proteins in living neurons, we demonstrate that viral "tegument" proteins are complexed to capsids moving in axons. The removal of a subset of tegument proteins from capsids invariably preceded retrograde transport to the cell body in sensory ganglia, whereas addition of these proteins was coupled to anterograde transport of progeny capsids to the distal axon. Although capsid transport never occurred without associated tegument proteins, anterograde-specific tegument proteins were competent to travel to the distal axon independent of capsids. These findings are compatible with a model of viral bidirectional transport in which tegument proteins direct capsid traffic to specific intracellular locations during the infectious cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of the capsid processing strategy of Thosea asigna virus using baculovirus expression of virus-like particles.

Thosea asigna virus (TaV), a putative member of the genus Betatetravirus of the family Tetraviridae, is predicted to have a novel capsid expression strategy compared with other characterized tetraviruses. The capsid precursor protein is cleaved twice to generate three proteins. Two of the proteins, L (58.3 kDa) and S (6.8 kDa), are incorporated into the TaV virion. The third, non-structural protein, produced from the N terminus of the precursor protein, is up to 17 kDa in size and is of unknown function. The TaV capsid precursor protein sequence without the 17 kDa N-terminal region was modelled against the solved structure from Nudaurelia omega virus (N omega V) using SwissModel. The TaV model was very similar to the solved structure determined for subunit A of N omega V and had features that are conserved between tetraviruses and nodaviruses, including the positioning of the cleavage site between the L and S capsid proteins. The production of virus-like particles (VLPs) using the baculovirus expression system was used to analyse the capsid processing strategy employed by TaV. VLPs were formed in both the presence and absence of the 17 kDa N-terminal region of the capsid precursor. VLPs were not formed when the L and S regions were expressed from separate promoters, indicating that cleavage between the L and S capsid proteins was an essential part of TaV capsid assembly. Expression of the TaV 17 kDa protein in bacteria did not produce intracellular tubules similar to those formed by bacterial expression of the p17 protein from Helicoverpa armigera stunt virus.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Identification of conformational neutralizing epitopes on the capsid protein of canine calicivirus.

Two neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against canine calicivirus (CaCV), which has a distinct antigenicity from feline calicivirus (FCV), were obtained. Both MAbs recognized conformational epitopes on the capsid protein of CaCV and were used to identify these epitopes. Neutralization-resistant variants of CaCV were selected in the presence of individual MAbs in a cell culture. Cross-neutralization tests using the variants indicated that the MAbs recognized functionally independent epitopes on the capsid protein. Recombinantly expressed ORF2 products (capsid precursors) of the variants showed no reactivity to the MAbs used for the selection, suggesting that the resistance was induced by a failing in binding of the MAbs to the variant capsid proteins. Several nucleotide changes resulting in amino acid substitutions in the capsid protein were found by sequence analysis. Reactivities of the MAbs to the revertant ORF2 products produced from each variant ORF2 by site-directed mutagenesis identified a single amino acid substitution in each variant capsid protein responsible for the failure of MAb binding. The amino acid residues related to forming the conformational neutralizing epitopes were located in regions equivalent to the 5' and 3' hypervariable regions of the FCV capsid protein, where antigenic sites were demonstrated in previous studies. The recombinant ORF2 products expressed in bacteria failed to induce neutralizing antibody, suggesting that neutralizing antibodies were only generated when properly folded capsid protein was used as an antigen. In CaCV, the conformational epitopes may play a more important role in neutralization than do linear epitopes.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2006

The human TRIM5alpha restriction factor mediates accelerated uncoating of the N-tropic murine leukemia virus capsid.

The host cell factors TRIM5alpha(hu) and Fv-1 restrict N-tropic murine leukemia virus (N-MLV) infection at an early postentry step before or after reverse transcription, respectively. Interestingly, the identity of residue 110 of the MLV capsid determines susceptibility to both TRIM5alpha(hu) and Fv-1. In this study, we investigate the fate of the MLV capsid in cells expressing either the TRIM5alpha(hu) or Fv-1 restriction factor. The expression of TRIM5alpha(hu), but not Fv-1, specifically promoted the premature conversion of particulate N-MLV capsids within infected cells to soluble capsid proteins. The TRIM5alpha(hu)-mediated disassembly of particulate N-MLV capsids was dependent upon residue 110 of the viral capsid. Furthermore, the deletion or disruption of TRIM5alpha(hu) domains necessary for potent N-MLV restriction completely abrogated the disappearance of particulate N-MLV capsids observed with wild-type TRIM5alpha(hu). These results suggest that premature disassembly of the viral capsid contributes to the restriction of N-MLV infection by TRIM5alpha(hu), but not by Fv-1.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1983

Analysis of the protein-protein interactions in the parvovirus H-1 capsid.

The structure of the icosahedral capsid of the H-1 parvovirus was probed by chemical cross-linking methods. Treatment of empty capsids with high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycols resulted in irreversible aggregation of the minor capsid protein VP1. Multimers of VP1 containing at least five and perhaps six molecules were obtained, but only with empty capsids and not with the full, DNA-containing virus. Cross-linking of the empty capsids with dimethylsuberimidate confirmed the assignments of the products formed after treatment with polyethylene glycol. With dimethylsuberimidate the most abundant product was a heterologous dimer containing VP1 and the major capsid protein VP2'. A small amount of homologous VP2' dimer was also obtained, but the majority of VP2' remained unreacted even at high concentrations of dimethylsuberimidate. The capsid proteins of the full virus, on the other hand, were completely unreactive to dimethylsuberimidate. The data suggest that the minor protein VP1 may be clustered in the capsid and perhaps composes one or two of the morphological units of the icosahedral shell.

Capsid↗
PubMed1989

Use of Ar+ plasma etching to localize structural proteins in the capsid of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Partially cored herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) capsids (B capsids) were eroded in a low-energy (0.5-keV) Ar+ ion plasma under conditions in which the outermost structural proteins were expected to be degraded before more internal ones. After various periods of etching, the proteins remaining intact were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and determined quantitatively by densitometric scanning of the stained gels. The results showed that the major capsid polypeptide (VP5) and two other capsid proteins, VP19 and VP23, were degraded rapidly beginning as soon as capsids were exposed to the ion plasma. In contrast, significant lags were observed for erosion of VP21, VP22a, and VP24, suggesting that these proteins were available to accelerated ions only after other, more external structures had been damaged or eroded away. The results suggest that VP5, VP19, and VP23 are exposed on the surface of the capsid, while VP21, VP22a, and VP24 are found inside the capsid cavity. The experiments are consistent with the view that VP5 constitutes the major structural component of the hexavalent capsomers. It is proposed that VP19 and VP23 may form other surface structures such as the pentavalent capsomers, the capsid floor, or the intercapsomeric fibers.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Poliovirus-associated protein kinase: destabilization of the virus capsid and stimulation of the phosphorylation reaction by Zn2+.

The previously described poliovirus-associated protein kinase activity phosphorylates viral proteins VP0 and VP2 as well as exogenous proteins in the presence of Mg2+. In this paper, the effect of Zn2+ on the phosphorylation reaction and the stability of the poliovirus capsid has been studied in detail and compared to that of Mg2+. Phosphorylation patterns of viral and other proteins depend on the divalent cation present. In the presence of Zn2+, phosphorylation of capsid proteins VP2 and VP4 is significantly higher while phosphorylation of VP0 and exogenous phosphate acceptor proteins is not detected. Our results indicate the activation of more than one virus-associated protein kinase by Zn2+. The ion-dependent behavior of the enzyme activities is observed independently of whether the virus was obtained from HeLa or green monkey kidney cells. The poliovirus capsid is destabilized by Zn2+. The destabilization leads to a substantially increased permeability of virus particles to ethidium bromide and RNase, concomitant with decreased infectivity of the sample. This alteration of the poliovirus capsid structure is a prerequisite for effective phosphorylation of viral capsid proteins. The increased level of phosphorylation of viral capsid proteins results in further destabilization of the viral capsid. As a result of the conformational changes, poliovirus-associated protein kinase activities dissociate from the virus particle. High-performance liquid chromatography-purified viral protein VP2 is phosphorylated by the released enzymes on serine, threonine, and tyrosine in the presence of Zn2+. We suggest that the destabilizing effect of phosphorylation on the viral capsid plays a role in uncoating of poliovirus.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Cys residues of the hepatitis B virus capsid protein are not essential for the assembly of viral core particles but can influence their stability.

In the spherical capsid of hepatitis B virus (HBV), intermolecular disulfide bonds cross-link the approximately 180 p21.5 capsid protein subunits into a stable lattice. In this study, we used mutant capsid proteins to investigate the role that disulfide bonds and the four p21.5 Cys residues (positions 48, 61, 107, and 185) play in capsid assembly and/or stabilization. p21.5 Cys residues were either replaced by Ala or removed (Cys-185) by carboxyl-terminal truncation, creating Cys-minus mutants which were expressed in Xenopus oocytes via microinjected synthetic mRNAs. Fractionation of radiolabeled oocyte extracts on 10 to 60% sucrose gradients revealed that Cys-minus core proteins resolved into the nonparticulate and capsid forms seen for wild-type p21.5. On 5 to 30% sucrose gradients, nonparticulate Cys-minus core proteins sedimented as dimers of approximately 40 kDa. We conclude that Cys residues and disulfides are not required for the assembly of either HBV capsids or the dimers that provide the precursors for capsid assembly. Since assembly presumably demands an appropriate p21.5 tertiary structure, it is unlikely that Cys residues are required for proper p21.5 folding. However, Cys residues stabilize isolated p21.5 structures, as evidenced by the marked reduction in stability of Cys-minus dimers and capsids (i) in nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and (ii) upon protease digestion. We discuss these results in the context of the HBV life cycle and the role of Cys residues in other proteins.

Alanine↗
PubMed1993

Poliovirus capsid proteins derived from P1 precursors with glutamine-valine cleavage sites have defects in assembly and RNA encapsidation.

Assembly of poliovirus virions requires proteolytic cleavage of the P1 capsid precursor polyprotein between two separate glutamine-glycine (QG) amino acid pairs by the viral protease 3CD. In this study, we have investigated the effects on P1 polyprotein processing and subsequent assembly of processed capsid proteins caused by substitution of the glycine residue at the individual QG cleavage sites with valine (QG-->QV). P1 cDNAs encoding the valine substitutions were created by site-directed mutagenesis and were recombined into wild-type vaccinia virus to generate recombinant vaccinia viruses which expressed the mutant P1 precursors. The recombinant vaccinia virus-expressed mutant P1 polyproteins were analyzed for proteolytic processing defects in cells coinfected with a recombinant vaccinia virus (VVP3) that expresses the poliovirus 3CD protease and for processing and assembly defects by using a trans complementation system in which P1-expressing recombinant vaccinia viruses provide capsid precursor to a defective poliovirus genome that does not express functional capsid proteins (D. C. Ansardi, D. C. Porter, and C. D. Morrow, J. Virol. 67:3684-3690, 1993). The QV-substituted precursors were proteolytically processed at the altered sites both in cells coinfected with VVP3 and in cells coinfected with defective poliovirus, although the kinetics of cleavage at the altered sites were slower than those of cleavage at the wild-type QG site in the precursor. Completely processed capsid proteins VP0, VP3, and VP1 derived from the mutant precursor containing a valine at the amino terminus of VP3 (VP3-G001V) were unstable and failed to assemble stable subviral structures in cells coinfected with defective poliovirus. In contrast, capsid proteins derived from the P1 precursor with a valine substitution at the amino terminus of VP1 (VP1-G001V) assembled empty capsid particles but were deficient in assembling RNA-containing virions. The assembly characteristics of the VP1-G001V mutant were compared with those of a previously described VP3-VP1 cleavage site mutant (K. Kirkegaard and B. Nelsen, J. Virol. 64:185-194, 1990) which contained a deletion of the first four amino-terminal residues of VP1 (VP1-delta 1-4) and which was reconstructed for our studies into the recombinant vaccinia virus system. Complete proteolytic processing of the VP1-delta 1-4 precursor also occurred more slowly than complete cleavage of the wild-type precursor, and formation of virions was delayed; however, capsid proteins derived from the VP1-G001V mutant assembled RNA-containing virions less efficiently than those derived from the VP1-delta 1-4 precursor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3C Viral Proteases↗
PubMed1993

Complementation of a poliovirus defective genome by a recombinant vaccinia virus which provides poliovirus P1 capsid precursor in trans.

Defective interfering (DI) RNA genomes of poliovirus which contain in-frame deletions in the P1 capsid protein-encoding region have been described. DI genomes are capable of replication and can be encapsidated by capsid proteins provided in trans from wild-type poliovirus. In this report, we demonstrate that a previously described poliovirus DI genome (K. Hagino-Yamagishi and A. Nomoto, J. Virol. 63:5386-5392, 1989) can be complemented by a recombinant vaccinia virus, VVP1 (D. C. Ansardi, D. C. Porter, and C. D. Morrow, J. Virol. 65:2088-2092, 1991), which expresses the poliovirus capsid precursor polyprotein, P1. Stocks of defective polioviruses were generated by transfecting in vitro-transcribed defective genome RNA derived from plasmid pSM1(T7)1 into HeLa cells infected with VVP1 and were maintained by serial passage in the presence of VVP1. Encapsidation of the defective poliovirus genome was demonstrated by characterizing poliovirus-specific protein expression in cells infected with preparations of defective poliovirus and by Northern (RNA) blot analysis of poliovirus-specific RNA incorporated into defective poliovirus particles. Cells infected with preparations of defective poliovirus expressed poliovirus protein 3CD but did not express capsid proteins derived from a full-length P1 precursor. Poliovirus-specific RNA encapsidated in viral particles generated in cells coinfected with VVP1 and defective poliovirus migrated slightly faster on formaldehyde-agarose gels than wild-type poliovirus RNA, demonstrating maintenance of the genomic deletion. By metabolic radiolabeling with [35S]methionine-cysteine, the defective poliovirus particles were shown to contain appropriate mature-virion proteins. This is the first report of the generation of a pure population of defective polioviruses free of contaminating wild-type poliovirus. We demonstrate the use of this recombinant vaccinia virus-defective poliovirus genome complementation system for studying the effects of a defined mutation in the P1 capsid precursor on virus assembly. Following removal of residual VVP1 from defective poliovirus preparations, processing and assembly of poliovirus capsid proteins derived from a nonmyristylated P1 precursor expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus, VVP1 myr- (D. C. Ansardi, D. C. Porter, and C. D. Morrow, J. Virol. 66:4556-4563, 1992), in cells coinfected with defective poliovirus were analyzed. Capsid proteins generated from nonmyristylated P1 did not assemble detectable levels of mature virions but did assemble, at low levels, into empty capsids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Capsid↗
PubMed1994

Three-dimensional structure of vaccinia virus-produced human papillomavirus type 1 capsids.

The capsid proteins of papillomavirus self-assemble to form empty capsids or virus-like particles that appear quite similar to naturally occurring virions by conventional electron microscopy. To characterize such virus-like particles more fully, cryoelectron microscopy and image analysis techniques were used to generate three-dimensional reconstructions of capsids produced by vaccinia virus recombinants (V capsids) that expressed human papillomavirus type 1 L1 protein only or both L1 and L2 proteins. All V capsids had 72 pentameric capsomers arranged on a T = 7 icosahedral lattice. Each particle (approximately 60 nm in diameter) consisted of an approximately 2-nm-thick shell of protein with a radius of 22 nm with capsomers that extend approximately 6 nm from the shell. At a resolution of 3.5 nm, both V capsid structures appear identical to the capsid structure of native human papillomavirus type 1 (T. S. Baker, W. W. Newcomb, N. H. Olson, L. M. Cowsert, C. Olson, and J. C. Brown, Biophys. J. 60:1445-1456, 1991), thus implying that expressed and native capsids are structurally equivalent.

Capsid↗
PubMed1995

Viral RNA modulates the acid sensitivity of foot-and-mouth disease virus capsids.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) manifests an extreme sensitivity to acid, which is thought to be important for entry of the RNA genome into the cell. We have compared the low-pH-induced disassembly in vitro of virions and natural empty capsids of three subtypes of serotype A FMDV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis. For all three subtypes (A22 Iraq 24/64, A10(61), and A24 Cruzeiro), the empty capsid was more stable by 0.5 pH unit on average than the corresponding virion. Unexpectedly, in the natural empty capsids used in this study, the precursor capsid protein VP0 was found largely to be cleaved into VP2 and VP4. For picornaviruses the processing of VP0 is closely associated with encapsidation of viral RNA, which is considered likely to play a catalytic role in the cleavage. Investigation of the cleavage of VP0 in natural empty capsids failed to implicate the viral RNA. However, it remains possible that these particles arise from abortive attempts to encapsidate RNA. Empty capsids expressed from a vaccinia virus recombinant showed essentially the same acid lability as natural empty capsids, despite differing considerably in the extent of VP0 processing, with the synthetic particles containing almost exclusively uncleaved VP0. These results indicate that it is the viral RNA that modulates acid lability in FMDV. In all cases the capsids dissociate at low pH directly into pentameric subunits. Comparison of the three viruses indicates that FMDV A22 Iraq is about 0.5 pH unit more sensitive to low pH than types A10(61) and A24 Cruzeiro. Sequence analysis of the three subtypes identified several differences at the interface between pentamers and highlighted a His-alpha-helix dipole interaction which spans the pentamer interface and appears likely to influence the acid lability of the virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Specific proteolytic cleavage of recombinant Norwalk virus capsid protein.

Norwalk virus (NV) causes epidemic outbreaks of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in humans. The NV capsid is made up of a single protein, and expression of the capsid protein in baculovirus recombinants results in spontaneous assembly of the protein into virus-like particles (X. Jiang, M. Wang, D. Y. Graham, and M. K. Estes, J. Virol. 66:6527-6532, 1992). We have investigated whether the NV capsid protein undergoes a specific proteolytic cleavage. Recombinant NV (rNV) particles were digested with trypsin to determine if a specific cleavage occurred. A predominant band with a molecular weight of approximately 32,000 (32K protein) was observed when trypsin-treated rNV was electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Determination of the N-terminal sequence of this band showed that a trypsin-specific cleavage occurred at amino acid residue 227. Early studies identified two proteins with molecular weights of 59,000 and 30,000 (59K and 30K proteins) in the stool of NV-infected volunteers that were reactive with postinfection antiserum. (H. B. Greenberg, J. R. Valdesuso, A. R. Kalica, R. G. Wyatt, V. J. McAuliffe, A. Z. Kapikian, and R. M. Chanock, J. Virol. 37:994-999, 1981). We hypothesized that the 32K rNV cleavage product might be analogous to the 30K soluble protein detected in stools of NV-infected volunteers. Immunoprecipitation of soluble protein from these stool extracts with a rabbit polyclonal antiserum made against rNV, and Western blot detection with a mouse polyclonal antiserum made against rNV, revealed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 30,000 that migrated similarly to the trypsin cleavage product observed in vitro. The N terminus of this band was identical to that of the 32K cleavage product of rNV capsid protein. These data show that the 30K protein in stool is produced by specific cleavage of the NV capsid protein in vivo. Trypsin cleavage of isolated soluble rNV 58K capsid protein and of assembled particles showed that only soluble 58K capsid protein is susceptible to cleavage. The presence of a large amount of soluble capsid protein may influence the immune response to or pathogenicity of NV infections.

Amino Acid Sequence↗