Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
09:08

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

Structural disorder and modular organization in Paramyxovirinae N and P

David Karlin1, François Ferron1, Bruno Canard1

  • 1Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 6098 CNRS et Université Aix-Marseille I et II, ESIL, Campus de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.

The Journal of General Virology
|December 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Paramyxovirinae viruses possess intrinsically disordered proteins crucial for replication. This widespread disorder in nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P) underlies their function and interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • The replicative complex of Paramyxovirinae, including nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), and polymerase (L), is essential for viral function.
  • Previous studies indicated intrinsic disorder in specific domains of measles virus N and P proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent and significance of intrinsic disorder within the Paramyxovirinae replicative complex.
  • To identify conserved organizational principles and functional roles of disordered regions in N and P proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Employed a combination of computational approaches based on diverse physico-chemical principles to predict intrinsic disorder.
  • Conducted a thorough literature review to gather experimental evidence supporting computational predictions.

Main Results:

  • Intrinsic disorder is a prevalent characteristic of Paramyxovirinae N and P proteins.
  • Identified a conserved modular organization in Paramyxovirinae P proteins, comprising six modules based on structural or sequence conservation.
  • Unstructured regions of N and P proteins are implicated in multiple interactions with protein and protein-RNA partners.

Conclusions:

  • Intrinsic disorder plays a significant role in the function and interactions of the Paramyxovirinae replicative complex.
  • This study contributes to understanding intrinsically disordered proteins and aids in identifying target domains for future structural studies.

More Related Videos

Multi-target Parallel Processing Approach for Gene-to-structure Determination of the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Subunit22:10

Multi-target Parallel Processing Approach for Gene-to-structure Determination of the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Subunit

Published on: June 28, 2013

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses12:20

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses

Published on: December 29, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization01:28

Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization

Prokaryotic genomes exhibit a streamlined organization of coding and non-coding regions essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. While coding regions contain the genetic instructions for proteins or functional RNAs, non-coding regions regulate the precise transcription and translation of these genes.Coding Regions: Proteins and RNAsThe primary coding regions, known as structural genes, include sequences transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and ultimately translated into...
Nucleoid01:24

Nucleoid

The nucleoid represents a structurally and functionally distinct region within prokaryotic cells, where the cell's DNA and associated proteins are housed. Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and the nucleoid facilitates the organization and accessibility of the genetic material within this constraint. The DNA in most bacteria and archaea exists as a single, circular, double-stranded molecule that is highly compacted through supercoiling and interactions with...