Structural highlights
FunctionNCAP_EBOZM Encapsidates the genome, protecting it from nucleases. The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the nucleocapsid and serves as template for transcription and replication. During replication, encapsidation by NP is coupled to RNA synthesis and all replicative products are resistant to nucleases. Publication Abstract from PubMedFiloviruses, including the Ebola and Marburg viruses, cause hemorrhagic fevers with up to 90% lethality. The viral nucleocapsid is assembled by polymerization of the nucleoprotein (NP) along the viral genome, together with the viral proteins VP24 and VP35. We employed cryo-electron tomography of cells transfected with viral proteins and infected with model Ebola virus to illuminate assembly intermediates, as well as a 9 A map of the complete intracellular assembly. This structure reveals a previously unresolved third and outer layer of NP complexed with VP35. The intrinsically disordered region, together with the C-terminal domain of this outer layer of NP, provides the constant width between intracellular nucleocapsid bundles and likely functions as a flexible tether to the viral matrix protein in the virion. A comparison of intracellular nucleocapsids with prior in-virion nucleocapsid structures reveals that the nucleocapsid further condenses vertically in the virion. The interfaces responsible for nucleocapsid assembly are highly conserved and offer targets for broadly effective antivirals. Intracellular Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly revealed by in situ cryo-electron tomography.,Watanabe R, Zyla D, Parekh D, Hong C, Jones Y, Schendel SL, Wan W, Castillon G, Saphire EO Cell. 2024 Sep 12:S0092-8674(24)00973-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.044. PMID:39293445[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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