Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta
Published on: August 15, 2017
Research note: the putative nuclear localization signal of duck circovirus type 1 cap protein is critical for VLP
Xinnuo Lei1, Peiqing Wei2, Dongliang Wang3
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High-Tech Research and Development of Veterinary Biopharmaceuticals, Engineering Technology Research Center for Modern Animal Science and Novel Veterinary Pharmaceutic Development, Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, China.
Abstract:
Duck circovirus type 1 (DuCV-1) threatens the duck industry globally, with no approved vaccines available. This study aimed to establish a prokaryotic expression system for DuCV-1 virus-like particle (VLP) and clarify the role of the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) in capsid (Cap) protein function and assembly. Codon-optimized full-length Cap and putative NLS-deleted dCap (residues 1-36) were expressed in Escherichia coli. Deletion of the putative NLS reduced Cap expression by 50%, solubility from 88% to 32.6%, and completely abolished VLP assembly. Full-length Cap self-assembled into 13-17 nm icosahedral VLP, structurally consistent with native virions. Homology modeling revealed the Cap monomer adopts a conserved jelly-roll fold, with the putative NLS mediating critical inter-subunit interactions at the 2-fold axis of the icosahedral capsid. Collectively, the putative NLS is an essential multifunctional motif for Cap protein folding, solubility, and VLP assembly, providing a theoretical and experimental basis for DuCV VLP-based vaccine development.
More Related Videos
08:56In Situ Detection of Ribonucleoprotein Complex Assembly in the C. elegans Germline using Proximity Ligation Assay
Published on: May 5, 2020
14:49A Quantitative Dot Blot Assay for AAV Titration and Its Use for Functional Assessment of the Adeno-associated Virus Assembly-activating Proteins
Published on: June 12, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import
Leaky Scanning
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Nuclear Protein Sorting
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...
Nuclear Export of mRNA
Nuclear Export of mRNA