Promotion of virus assembly and organization by the measles virus matrix protein

Nat Commun. 2018 Apr 30;9(1):1736. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04058-2.

Abstract

Measles virus (MeV) remains a major human pathogen, but there are presently no licensed antivirals to treat MeV or other paramyxoviruses. Here, we use cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to elucidate the principles governing paramyxovirus assembly in MeV-infected human cells. The three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of the MeV structural proteins including the surface glycoproteins (F and H), matrix protein (M), and the ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) are characterized at stages of virus assembly and budding, and in released virus particles. The M protein is observed as an organized two-dimensional (2D) paracrystalline array associated with the membrane. A two-layered F-M lattice is revealed suggesting that interactions between F and M may coordinate processes essential for MeV assembly. The RNP complex remains associated with and in close proximity to the M lattice. In this model, the M lattice facilitates the well-ordered incorporation and concentration of the surface glycoproteins and the RNP at sites of virus assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / metabolism
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Measles virus / metabolism
  • Measles virus / ultrastructure*
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins / ultrastructure*
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / ultrastructure*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / ultrastructure*
  • Virion / metabolism
  • Virion / ultrastructure*
  • Virus Assembly
  • Virus Release

Substances

  • Hemagglutinins, Viral
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • Viral Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • hemagglutinin protein G, measles virus