Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Using Reverse Genetics to Manipulate the NSs Gene of the Rift Valley Fever Virus MP-12 Strain to Improve Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
09:13

Using Reverse Genetics to Manipulate the NSs Gene of the Rift Valley Fever Virus MP-12 Strain to Improve Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

Published on: November 1, 2011

Revised Mimivirus major capsid protein sequence reveals intron-containing gene structure and extra domain

Saïd Azza1, Christian Cambillau, Didier Raoult

  • 1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), CNRS-IRD UMR 6236, IFR 48, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France. said.azza@univmed.fr

BMC Molecular Biology
|May 13, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Researchers characterized the full-length Acanthamoebae polyphaga Mimivirus (APM) major capsid protein and its gene. This study provides new insights into APM structure and aids future viral research.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Acanthamoebae polyphaga Mimivirus (APM) is the largest known double-stranded DNA virus, featuring an icosahedral structure with fibril-covered capsid.
  • The D13L protein, derived from the APM L425 gene, is the most abundant viral particle protein but was poorly characterized.
  • A revised sequence revealed a previously missing N-terminal region, prompting further investigation into the complete APM major capsid protein.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the L425 gene structure of Acanthamoebae polyphaga Mimivirus (APM).
  • To characterize the biochemical properties of the complete APM major capsid protein.
  • To provide new insights into the structure of the main capsid protein of APM.

Main Methods:

  • Sequencing of the full-length 3430 bp Capsid coding gene (L425).
  • Expression and purification of the recombinant full-length APM Capsid protein 1 (593 amino acids).
  • Production of a specific monoclonal antibody against APM Capsid protein 1.
  • Analysis of post-translational modifications (glycosylation, phosphorylation).
  • Secondary structure prediction and comparison with other Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA viruses.

Main Results:

  • The full-length L425 gene and the 593 amino acid Capsid protein 1 were characterized.
  • A specific monoclonal antibody confirmed Capsid protein 1's presence within the APM viral particle.
  • Post-translational modifications, including glycosylation and phosphorylation, were identified.
  • A secondary structure prediction for APM Capsid protein 1 was proposed.

Conclusions:

  • Characterization of the full-length L425 gene offers new insights into APM major capsid protein structure.
  • The availability of the full-length recombinant protein facilitates future structural studies of APM.
  • This research enhances understanding of large DNA virus capsid proteins.

More Related Videos

An Integrated Approach for Microprotein Identification and Sequence Analysis09:37

An Integrated Approach for Microprotein Identification and Sequence Analysis

Published on: July 12, 2022

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis09:27

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis

Published on: June 4, 2016

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...
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
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...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.