Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
09:08
Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Published on: July 27, 2021
3.9K
Insights into Paramyxovirus Nucleocapsids from Diverse Assemblies
Tianhao Li1, Qing-Tao Shen1,2
1iHuman Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
Viruses
|December 28, 2021
Summary
Paramyxoviruses exhibit diverse nucleocapsid structures beyond helices, including rings and clam-shapes. The N-tail protein region regulates these forms, impacting viral RNA genome functions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Paramyxoviruses, including mumps and measles viruses, possess non-segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genomes.
- Viral RNA genomes are encased by nucleoproteins, forming helical nucleocapsids essential for the viral life cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural diversity of paramyxovirus nucleocapsids beyond helical forms.
- To elucidate the role of the nucleoprotein N-tail in regulating nucleocapsid assembly and function.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recombinant paramyxovirus nucleocapsid structures.
- Investigation of protein-protein interactions, particularly involving the N-tail and phosphoprotein.
Main Results:
- Paramyxovirus nucleocapsids assemble into various forms: helical, rings, clam-shaped, and double-headed structures.
- Nucleoprotein protomers utilize domain-swapping via N-terminal arm, C-terminal arm, and N-hole in all assemblies.
- The intrinsically disordered N-tail region of nucleoproteins regulates transitions between assembly forms, interacting with other viral proteins like phosphoprotein.
Conclusions:
- The structural diversity of paramyxovirus nucleocapsids, including non-helical forms, is significant.
- The N-tail plays a crucial regulatory role in assembly, influencing RNA genome protection, transcription, replication, and encapsulation.
Related Concept Videos
00:56Viral Structure
66.2K
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.
66.2K
02:41Protein Complex Assembly
12.8K
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...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
12.8K
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
208
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...
208
01:25Nucleic Acid Structure
7.5K
The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA...
DNA Structure
DNA...
7.5K
01:18Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments
22.2K
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
22.2K
02:50Conjugated Proteins
19.7K
Simple proteins and protein complexes contain only amino acids. In contrast, many other proteins, called conjugated proteins, covalently bond with non-protein moieties.
Nucleoproteins are protein complexes that contain nucleic acids, categorized as deoxyribonucleoproteins (DNPs) or ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) respectively. The nucleosome is a typical example of a DNP where nuclear DNA is associated with histone proteins. The major antigen for the Covid-19 virus SARS-CoV is an RNP that is critical...
Nucleoproteins are protein complexes that contain nucleic acids, categorized as deoxyribonucleoproteins (DNPs) or ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) respectively. The nucleosome is a typical example of a DNP where nuclear DNA is associated with histone proteins. The major antigen for the Covid-19 virus SARS-CoV is an RNP that is critical...
19.7K