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Nucleic acid-binding properties of adenovirus structural polypeptides
The Journal of General Virology
|November 1, 1982
Summary
Adenovirus structural proteins IVa2, V, VI, and VII bind nucleic acids, with polypeptide VI showing detergent sensitivity. This binding lacks sequence specificity, offering insights into adenovirus structure and DNA interaction.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adenoviruses are significant human pathogens.
- Understanding adenovirus structural protein interactions with nucleic acids is crucial for viral replication and assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nucleic acid binding capabilities of individual adenovirus structural polypeptides.
- To characterize the nature of these interactions, including potential sequence specificity and sensitivity to detergents.
Main Methods:
- Separation of adenovirus structural polypeptides using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
- Electrophoretic transfer of separated polypeptides to nitrocellulose membranes.
- Probing the immobilized polypeptides with 32P-labelled nucleic acids to detect binding.
Main Results:
- Polypeptides IVa2, V, VI, and VII demonstrated nucleic acid binding.
- Trace amounts of pVII and a 40 kDa polypeptide also bound nucleic acids.
- A smaller polypeptide, potentially a cleavage product, showed labelling.
- DNA binding to polypeptide VI was more sensitive to detergents compared to other binding polypeptides.
- No sequence specificity was observed in the DNA binding interactions.
Conclusions:
- Several adenovirus structural polypeptides possess inherent nucleic acid binding properties.
- Polypeptide VI exhibits a distinct detergent sensitivity in its DNA binding.
- The observed nucleic acid binding is non-specific in terms of DNA sequence.