Electron cryotomography reveals the portal in the herpesvirus capsid

Chang, J.T., Schmid, M.F., Rixon, F.J. and Chiu, W. (2007) Electron cryotomography reveals the portal in the herpesvirus capsid. Journal of Virology, 81(4), pp. 2065-2068. (doi: 10.1128/JVI.02053-06) (PMID:17151101) (PMCID:PMC1797573)

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Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 is a human pathogen responsible for a range of illnesses from cold sores to encephalitis. The icosahedral capsid has a portal at one fivefold vertex which, by analogy to portal-containing phages, is believed to mediate genome entry and exit. We used electron cryotomography to determine the structure of capsids lacking pentons. The portal vertex appears different from pentons, being located partially inside the capsid shell, a position equivalent to that of bacteriophage portals. Such similarity in portal organization supports the idea of the evolutionary relatedness of these viruses.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:No
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Rixon, Dr Frazer
Authors: Chang, J.T., Schmid, M.F., Rixon, F.J., and Chiu, W.
Subjects:Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Virology
Journal Abbr.:J. Virol.
ISSN:0022-538X
ISSN (Online):1098-5514
Published Online:06 December 2006

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
656531Structural studies on human virusesFrazer RixonMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12014/6MVLS III - CENTRE FOR VIRUS RESEARCH