Structural highlights
Function[NCAP_HRSVA] Encapsidates the genome, protecting it from nucleases. The nucleocapsid (NC) has a helical structure. The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the NC and serves as template for transcription and replication. During replication, encapsidation by protein N is coupled to RNA synthesis and all replicative products are resistant to nucleases.[1] Publication Abstract from PubMedRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important human pathogen. Its nucleocapsid (NC), which comprises the negative sense RNA viral genome coated by the viral nucleoprotein N, is a critical assembly that serves as template for both mRNA synthesis and genome replication. We have previously described the X-ray structure of an NC-like structure: a decameric ring formed of N-RNA that mimics one turn of the helical NC. In the absence of experimental data we had hypothesized that the NC helix would be right-handed, as the N-N contacts in the ring appeared to more easily adapt to that conformation. We now unambiguously show that the RSV NC is a left-handed helix. We further show that the contacts in the ring can be distorted to maintain key N-N-protein interactions in a left-handed helix, and discuss the implications of the resulting atomic model of the helical NC for viral replication and transcription. The respiratory syncytial virus nucleoprotein-RNA complex forms a left-handed helical nucleocapsid.,Bakker SE, Duquerroy S, Galloux M, Loney C, Conner E, Eleouet JF, Rey FA, Bhella D J Gen Virol. 2013 Aug;94(Pt 8):1734-8. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.053025-0. Epub 2013 May, 15. PMID:23677789[2] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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