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Atomic Resolution Structures of Human Bufaviruses Determined by Cryo-Electron Microscopy.
Maria Ilyas1,2, Mario Mietzsch3,4, Shweta Kailasan5,6
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. mariailyas@ufl.edu.
Viruses
|January 5, 2018
Summary
Bufavirus (BuV) is a protoparvovirus found in children with diarrhea. Structural analysis reveals unique capsid features compared to other parvoviruses, aiding molecular characterization of these potentially pathogenic viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bufavirus (BuV) is a protoparvovirus genus of the Parvoviridae family.
- BuVs have been isolated from pediatric patients with acute diarrhea in multiple countries.
- The current known genotypes are BuV1, BuV2, and BuV3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the structures of Bufavirus virus-like particles (VLPs).
- To compare BuV structures with other parvoviruses.
- To provide a basis for molecular characterization of BuVs.
Main Methods:
- Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and image reconstruction were used.
- Structures of BuV1, BuV2, and BuV3 VLPs were determined.
- Amino acid sequence identity and capsid surface features were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The high-resolution structures of BuV1, BuV2, and BuV3 VLPs were obtained.
- BuVs share conserved major viral protein (VP2) structure and parvovirus capsid features.
- BuV capsids exhibit unique surface variations and 3-fold protrusions distinct from animal protoparvoviruses.
Conclusions:
- The determined structures offer insights into BuV capsid organization.
- Bufavirus capsid structures present unique features compared to other protoparvoviruses.
- These findings facilitate further molecular characterization of potentially pathogenic Bufaviruses.
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