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Structural studies of the Sputnik virophage.

Siyang Sun1, Bernard La Scola, Valorie D Bowman

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA.

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The virophage Sputnik, a satellite virus of mimivirus, has a unique T=27 icosahedral capsid structure. Its capsid protein

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Area of Science:

  • * Virology
  • * Structural Biology
  • * Astrobiology

Background:

  • * Sputnik is a virophage that parasitizes the giant mimivirus.
  • * It is the only known satellite virus that negatively impacts its host's production.
  • * Sputnik's genome contains genes from viruses infecting all three domains of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To determine the structural characteristics of the Sputnik virophage.
  • * To investigate the origin and evolutionary history of Sputnik's capsid protein.

Main Methods:

  • * Transmission electron microscopy for structural analysis.
  • * X-ray crystallography for capsid protein structure determination.
  • * Sequence alignment and comparative genomics.

Main Results:

  • * Sputnik has a T=27 icosahedral capsid, approximately 740 Å in diameter.
  • * A lipid membrane is present within the protein shell.
  • * The major capsid protein exhibits a double jelly-roll fold, with no detectable sequence similarity to other known viral capsid proteins.

Conclusions:

  • * Sputnik possesses a unique capsid structure distinct from its host.
  • * The capsid protein's double jelly-roll fold suggests an ancient origin, possibly acquired before its association with mimivirus.
  • * Further research is needed to elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of Sputnik's capsid.