Investigations into the amino-terminal domain of the respiratory syncytial virus nucleocapsid protein reveal elements important for nucleocapsid formation and interaction with the phosphoprotein

Murphy, L.B., Loney, C. , Murray, J., Bhella, D. , Ashton, P. and Yeo, R.P. (2003) Investigations into the amino-terminal domain of the respiratory syncytial virus nucleocapsid protein reveal elements important for nucleocapsid formation and interaction with the phosphoprotein. Virology, 307(1), pp. 143-53. (doi: 10.1016/S0042-6822(02)00063-6)

Abstract

Bacterially expressed nucleocapsid (N) protein, from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), was used to investigate RNA binding in a modified North-Western blotting protocol. The recombinant protein demonstrated no sequence specificity in binding RNA representing either the antigenomic leader sequence or the nonspecific sequence derived from a plasmid vector. When recombinant N was purified on CsCl gradients, two types of structure, both with densities indicating that they contained RNA, could be visualised by negative-stain electron microscopy. Structures similar to nucleocapsids (NC) from RSV-infected cells were observed, as were ring structures. A small fragment of the N (amino acids 1-92) was all that was required for the production of NC-like structures. Another mutant with an internal deletion could form rings but not NC-like structures. This suggests that this domain (amino acids 121-160) may be important for maintaining helical stability. Further analysis has also identified a potential site in the amino-terminus that may be involved in an interaction with the phosphoprotein. A domain model of the RSV N protein is presented which, similar to that of other paramyxoviruses, supports the idea that the amino-terminus is important for NC assembly.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bhella, Professor David and Loney, Mr Colin
• Authors: Murphy, L.B., Loney, C., Murray, J., Bhella, D., Ashton, P., and Yeo, R.P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Virology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0042-6822