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The Reovirus σ1 Attachment Protein Influences the Stability of Its Entry Intermediate
Maximiliano L Garcia1, Pranav Danthi1
1Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
Journal of Virology
|May 11, 2023
Summary
Viral capsid metastability is key for virus survival and cell entry. Reovirus σ1 protein influences infectious subvirion particle (ISVP) stability, with higher σ1 incorporation correlating to greater ISVP stability, though some effects are independent of encapsidation levels.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Viral capsid metastability is crucial for viral survival in harsh environments and for conformational changes during cell entry.
- Mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) serves as a model system for studying capsid metastability.
- Protease-mediated disassembly of reovirus generates a metastable intermediate, the infectious subvirion particle (ISVP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the reovirus σ1 protein on the metastability of ISVPs.
- To determine the correlation between σ1 encapsidation levels and ISVP stability.
- To identify specific regions or properties of σ1 that influence ISVP stability.
Main Methods:
- Generation of mutant reovirus strains with single amino acid polymorphisms in σ1.
- Construction of chimeric σ1 molecules from different reovirus strains (type 1 and type 3).
- Analysis of σ1 encapsidation levels and ISVP stability in generated mutant viruses.
- Forward genetic selection for enhanced ISVP stability to identify key σ1 properties.
Main Results:
- Lower levels of σ1 encapsidation generally correlated with reduced ISVP stability.
- Specific mutations and chimeric constructs in σ1 affected both encapsidation and ISVP stability.
- In some instances, σ1 properties influenced ISVP stability independently of its encapsidation level.
Conclusions:
- The σ1 attachment protein significantly impacts the stability of the reovirus capsid and its metastable ISVP intermediate.
- Both the level of σ1 incorporation and its intrinsic properties contribute to ISVP stability.
- These findings highlight the intricate interplay between viral proteins and capsid properties, influencing viral infectivity.
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