Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Production of Pseudotyped Particles to Study Highly Pathogenic Coronaviruses in a Biosafety Level 2 Setting
08:40

Production of Pseudotyped Particles to Study Highly Pathogenic Coronaviruses in a Biosafety Level 2 Setting

Published on: March 1, 2019

A conserved domain in the coronavirus membrane protein tail is important for virus assembly

Ariel L Arndt1, Blake J Larson, Brenda G Hogue

  • 1School of Life Sciences, The Biodesign Institute, P.O. Box 875401, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5401, USA.

Journal of Virology
|August 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The conserved domain of coronavirus M proteins is crucial for viral envelope formation. Mutations in this domain, particularly affecting charge and specific residues, disrupt virus assembly and particle production.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Coronavirus membrane (M) proteins are essential for virus assembly, mediating interactions with other viral proteins like spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N).
  • The M protein possesses a conserved domain (CD) in its carboxy-terminal endodomain, following the third transmembrane (TM) domain, whose function is critical for viral processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional importance of the conserved domain (CD) within the mouse hepatitis virus M protein.
  • To elucidate the role of specific amino acid residues and M-M interactions in viral envelope formation and assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized genetic analysis and transient-expression assays to study a panel of M protein mutants.
  • Generated mutant viruses with specific amino acid substitutions and assessed their ability to form virus-like particles (VLPs) and infectivity.

Main Results:

  • Charge reversal mutations at E(121) were not tolerated, with substitutions reverting to neutral charges in recovered viruses.
  • Mutations in the conserved domain (SWWS) resulted in severely impaired viral phenotypes and failed VLP assembly.
  • N protein coexpression partially rescued VLP production for certain M mutants, suggesting a stabilizing role.

Conclusions:

  • The conserved domain of the M protein is vital for viral envelope formation, primarily by mediating essential M-M interactions.
  • The nucleocapsid (N) protein may play a supportive role in stabilizing M protein complexes during the virus assembly process.

More Related Videos

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus09:08

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

Published on: July 27, 2021

Production of a SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like-Particle System to Investigate Viral Life Cycles In Vitro09:26

Production of a SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like-Particle System to Investigate Viral Life Cycles In Vitro

Published on: June 6, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane01:45

Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane

Tail-anchored, or TA, proteins are estimated to make up to 3-5% of membrane proteins found in the eukaryotic cell. Such proteins have a single transmembrane domain located approximately 30 amino acid residues upstream from the C-terminal end. As a result, the signal recognition particle (SRP) cannot guide a TA protein to the ER membrane for cotranslational insertion. Hence, they are integrated into the ER membrane post-translationally using their C-terminal end as the anchor. TA proteins...
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins02:26

Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins

Protein domains are small structurally independent units that are part of a single amino acid chain.  Although these domains are often structurally independent, they may rely on synergistic effects to perform their functions as part of a larger protein. Protein domains may be conserved within the same organism, as well as across different organisms.
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to form...
Protein Complex Assembly02:41

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types.  Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Protein Complex Assembly02:41

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types.  Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
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.
Coronavirus01:29

Coronavirus

Coronaviruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), are enveloped viruses characterized by their single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome and helical nucleocapsid structure. The hallmark of these viruses is their club-shaped spike (S) glycoproteins that protrude from the viral envelope, facilitating attachment to host cells. Typically, coronaviruses infect the upper respiratory tract, often causing mild or asymptomatic disease. However, certain strains like...