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Protein-RNA interactions in an icosahedral virus at 3.0 A resolution
Z G Chen1, C Stauffacher, Y Li
1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 14, 1989
Summary
Nearly 20% of bean-pod mottle virus (BPMV) RNA binds symmetrically inside its capsid. This structured RNA and its protein interactions reveal similarities between plant comoviruses and animal picornaviruses.
Area of Science:
- Structural biology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bean-pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a plant virus with a single-stranded RNA genome.
- Understanding virus-RNA interactions is crucial for viral assembly and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural organization of RNA within the BPMV capsid.
- To characterize the interactions between BPMV RNA and its capsid proteins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of electron density maps to visualize RNA-protein interactions.
- Characterization of RNA properties (polarity, stereochemistry).
- Comparison of BPMV capsid protein structures with other viruses.
Main Results:
- Approximately 20% of BPMV RNA binds symmetrically within the capsid.
- The bound RNA is single-stranded with defined polarity and stereochemical properties.
- Protein-RNA interactions are primarily non-specific, with few direct contacts.
- BPMV capsid protein structures resemble those of animal picornaviruses.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a specific mode of RNA packaging in BPMV, with a significant portion bound symmetrically.
- Structural similarities between BPMV and picornaviruses support a close evolutionary relationship between comoviruses and animal viruses.