Structural highlights
FunctionNCAP_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 PubMedThe genomic RNA of negative strand RNA viruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), is completely enwrapped by the nucleocapsid protein (N) in every stage of virus infection. During viral transcription/replication, however, the genomic RNA in the nucleocapsid must be accessible by the virus-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in order to serve as the template for RNA synthesis. With the VSV nucleocapsid and a nucleocapsid-like particle (NLP) produced in E. coli, we have found that the RNA in the VSV nucleocapsid can be removed by RNase A, in contrast to what was previously reported. Removal of the RNA did not disrupt the assembly of the N protein, resulting in an empty capsid. Poly-ribonucleotides could be re-encapsidated into the empty NLP and the crystal structures were determined. The crystal structures revealed variable degrees of association of the N protein with a specific RNA sequence. Access of RNA encapsidated in the nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus.,Green TJ, Rowse M, Tsao J, Kang J, Ge P, Zhou ZH, Luo M J Virol. 2010 Dec 22. PMID:21177817[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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