Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Analysis of Group IV Viral SSHHPS Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods
10:40

Analysis of Group IV Viral SSHHPS Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods

Published on: December 21, 2019

25.9K

Structure-function insights into the dual role of African swine fever virus pB318L: A typical

Hai-Fan Zhao1, Ying Wang2, Xiao-Hong Liu3

  • 1School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Virologica Sinica
|April 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

African swine fever virus protein pB318L functions as a geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) crucial for viral replication. It also acts as a nuclear import protein, potentially aiding ASFV immune evasion.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • African swine fever virus (ASFV) protein pB318L is vital for viral replication.
  • pB318L functions as a membrane-bound trans-geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase (GGPPS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the enzymatic activity and structural characteristics of ASFV pB318L.
  • To investigate the role of pB318L in viral replication and potential immune evasion mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Structure-based mutagenesis and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) production assays.
  • Phylogenetic analysis and subcellular localization studies.
  • Investigation of nuclear import pathways and protein-protein interactions.

Main Results:

  • Key residues for pB318L's GGPPS activity were identified.
  • pB318L shares structural and phylogenetic similarities with plant GGPPSs.
  • A unique N-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS) in pB318L mediates nuclear import and interacts with KPNA1, potentially inhibiting STAT1 and ISGF3 translocation.

Conclusions:

  • ASFV pB318L is an essential GGPPS promoting viral replication.
  • pB318L functions as a nuclear import protein involved in ASFV immune evasion by interfering with host nuclear transport pathways.
Keywords:
African swine fever virus (ASFV)Crystal structureGeranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthaseImmune evasionNuclear localization signalPrenyltransferase

More Related Videos

Multi-target Parallel Processing Approach for Gene-to-structure Determination of the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Subunit22:10

Multi-target Parallel Processing Approach for Gene-to-structure Determination of the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Subunit

Published on: June 28, 2013

13.2K
Using Reverse Genetics to Manipulate the NSs Gene of the Rift Valley Fever Virus MP-12 Strain to Improve Vaccine Safety and Efficacy09:13

Using Reverse Genetics to Manipulate the NSs Gene of the Rift Valley Fever Virus MP-12 Strain to Improve Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

Published on: November 1, 2011

17.4K

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting01:45

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
2.4K
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.1K
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import01:46

Nuclear Localization Signals and Import

Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry short stretches of amino acid sequences called the nuclear localization signal or NLS. Classical nuclear localization signals are of two types: monopartite and bipartite NLS. Monopartite classical NLS (cNLS) consists of a single cluster of 4-8 amino acids. Bipartite cNLS consists of two clusters of  2-3 amino acids and a 9-12 residue long proline-rich linker bridging the two clusters. Signal clusters are rich in positively charged amino acids such as...
5.6K
Nuclear Protein Sorting01:34

Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting is the selective trafficking of histones, polymerases, gene regulatory proteins into the nucleus and exporting RNAs and ribosomes to the cytosol. It is a tightly controlled process that regulates gene expression within a cell.
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...
4.6K
Coat Assembly and GTPases01:33

Coat Assembly and GTPases

Vesicles incorporate different coat protein subunits in different cell locations, which changes the properties of the coat, such as the shape and geometry of the transport vesicles. Thus, vesicle coat proteins also play a significant role in cargo selection.
Coat assembly depends on the local availability of phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs and GTP-binding proteins. Adaptor proteins, which link the coat proteins to the membrane, bind to these PIPs and play a crucial role in controlling...
3.5K
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
27.5K