Related Experiment Videos
Visualizing the RNA molecule in the bacterially expressed vesicular stomatitis virus nucleoprotein-RNA complex
Zhiqiang Chen1, Todd J Green, Ming Luo
1Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA.
Structure (London, England : 1993)
|February 14, 2004
Summary
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) nucleoproteins protect viral RNA while allowing polymerase access. Structural analysis reveals RNA is packaged on the inner surface of the VSV nucleoprotein complex, differing from TMV packaging.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Viral RNA packaging is crucial for genomic preservation and expression.
- Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) nucleoproteins remain associated with RNA during synthesis, unlike tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
- The mechanism of VSV RNA packaging, balancing protection and polymerase accessibility, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structural basis of VSV RNA packaging.
- To resolve the 3D structure of the recombinant VSV nucleoprotein-RNA complex.
Main Methods:
- Single-particle electron microscopy was employed.
- An 18 Å resolution 3D density map of the nucleoprotein-RNA complex was generated.
Main Results:
- A decameric complex of VSV nucleoprotein and RNA was resolved.
- A ring of density, identified as RNA, was observed on the inner surface of the complex.
- The RNA is located near the top end of the inner surface of the nucleoprotein structure.
Conclusions:
- The VSV RNA packaging mechanism differs significantly from that of TMV.
- The findings are consistent with prior biochemical data on VSV RNA-protein interactions.
- The structure provides insights into how VSV achieves both RNA protection and polymerase accessibility.