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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.
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Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...
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Introduction to Virus01:28

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Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
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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...

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Purification of Viral DNA for the Identification of Associated Viral and Cellular Proteins
08:26

Purification of Viral DNA for the Identification of Associated Viral and Cellular Proteins

Published on: August 31, 2017

Structural basis for DNA recognition and loading into a viral packaging motor.

Carina R Büttner1, Maria Chechik, Miguel Ortiz-Lombardía

  • 1York Structural Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|December 31, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Small terminase proteins form ring-like structures essential for viral DNA packaging. This study reveals their DNA binding mechanism, suggesting a nucleosome-like model for genome translocation.

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

Published on: July 27, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Molecular virology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Viral genome packaging relies on molecular motors and terminase proteins.
  • Small terminase proteins initiate viral DNA recognition and regulate motor activity.
  • Understanding terminase structure and function is crucial for viral replication mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structure of the small terminase protein from bacteriophage SF6.
  • To investigate the oligomeric assembly and DNA-binding mechanism of small terminase.
  • To propose a model for viral DNA recognition and translocation.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography to determine protein structures.
  • Mass spectrometry to analyze protein assembly.
  • Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for in vitro binding studies.

Main Results:

  • The crystal structure revealed a nine-subunit circular assembly of full-length small terminase.
  • The C-terminal β-barrel domain is critical for defining the nine-subunit oligomeric state.
  • In vitro experiments demonstrated DNA binding exclusively through the N-terminal DNA-binding domains.

Conclusions:

  • A nucleosome-like model is proposed, where DNA wraps around the exterior of the small terminase ring.
  • The findings provide insights into the mechanism of viral DNA packaging.
  • Structural and functional characterization of terminase is key to understanding viral DNA translocation.