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Published on: August 9, 2011
A low-resolution structure of rice dwarf virus determined by ab initio phasing
H Naitow1, Y Morimoto, H Mizuno
1The Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada-oka, Suita 565, Japan.
Summary
Structural analysis of rice dwarf virus revealed a T=13 triangulation number, differing from previous electron microscopy findings. This study solved the rice dwarf virus structure using ab initio phasing techniques.
Area of Science:
- Structural biology
- Virology
- Crystallography
Background:
- Rice dwarf virus (RDV) is a significant plant pathogen.
- Previous structural studies of RDV relied on electron microscopy, yielding a triangulation number of T=9.
- Understanding RDV's structure is crucial for developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the precise crystal structure of Rice dwarf virus.
- To investigate the application of ab initio phasing for solving viral structures.
- To resolve discrepancies in the reported triangulation number of RDV.
Main Methods:
- X-ray crystallography was employed to analyze RDV crystals.
- Ab initio phasing methods were utilized, leveraging non-crystallographic symmetry averaging.
- Data processing and structure determination were performed using synthesized model crystal data.
Main Results:
- The crystal structure of RDV was solved up to 20 Å resolution using ab initio phasing.
- The unit cell belongs to space group I222 with specific cell parameters.
- A triangulation number of T=13 was determined, contrasting with the previously reported T=9.
Conclusions:
- Ab initio phasing is a viable method for solving viral structures, even breaking centricity assumptions.
- The determined T=13 triangulation number refines our understanding of RDV's quaternary structure.
- This structural data provides a foundation for future RDV research and management.
