Atomic structure reveals the unique capsid organization of a dsRNA virus

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 17;106(11):4225-30. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812071106. Epub 2009 Feb 25.

Abstract

For most dsRNA viruses, the genome-enclosing capsid comprises 120 copies of a single capsid protein (CP) organized into 60 icosahedrally equivalent dimers, generally identified as 2 nonsymmetricallyinteracting CP molecules with extensive lateral contacts. The crystal structure of a partitivirus, Penicillium stoloniferum virus F (PsV-F), reveals a different organization, in which the CP dimer is related by almost-perfect local 2-fold symmetry, forms prominent surface arches, and includes extensive structure swapping between the 2 subunits. An electron cryomicroscopy map of PsV-F shows that the disordered N terminus of each CP molecule interacts with the dsRNA genome and probably participates in its packaging or transcription. Intact PsV-F particles mediate semiconservative transcription, and transcripts are likely to exit through negatively charged channels at the icosahedral 5-fold axes. Other findings suggest that the PsV-F capsid is assembled from dimers of CP dimers, with an arrangement similar to flavivirus E glycoproteins.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Capsid / chemistry*
  • Capsid Proteins / chemistry
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Crystallization
  • Models, Biological
  • RNA Viruses / chemistry*
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Associated data

  • PDB/3ES5