Structural highlights
Function[GAG_RSVP] Capsid protein p27 forms the spherical core of the virus that encapsulates the genomic RNA-nucleocapsid complex (By similarity). The aspartyl protease mediates proteolytic cleavages of Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins during or shortly after the release of the virion from the plasma membrane. Cleavages take place as an ordered, step-wise cascade to yield mature proteins. This process is called maturation. Displays maximal activity during the budding process just prior to particle release from the cell (By similarity). Publication Abstract from PubMedIn mature retroviral particles, the capsid protein (CA) forms a shell encasing the viral replication complex. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) CA dimerizes in solution, through its C-terminal domain (CTD), and this interaction is important for capsid assembly. In contrast, other retroviral capsid proteins, including that of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), do not dimerize with measurable affinity. Here we show, using X-ray crystallography and other biophysical methods, that acidification causes RSV CA to dimerize in a fashion analogous to HIV CA, and that this drives capsid assembly in vitro. A pair of aspartic acid residues, located within the CTD dimer interface, explains why dimerization is linked to proton binding. Our results show that despite overarching structural similarities, the intermolecular forces responsible for forming and stabilizing the retroviral capsid differ markedly across retroviral genera. Our data further suggest that proton binding may regulate RSV capsid assembly, or modulate stability of the assembled capsid. Proton-linked dimerization of a retroviral capsid protein initiates capsid assembly.,Bailey GD, Hyun JK, Mitra AK, Kingston RL Structure. 2009 May 13;17(5):737-48. PMID:19446529[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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