Download MendeleyImplication for alphavirus host-cell entry and assembly indicated by a 3.5 angstrom resolution cryo-EM structure.
Chen, L., Wang, M., Zhu, D., Sun, Z., Ma, J., Wang, J., Kong, L., Wang, S., Liu, Z., Wei, L., He, Y., Wang, J., Zhang, X.(2018) Nat Commun 9: 5326-5326
- PubMed: 30552337
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-07704-x
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
6IMM - PubMed Abstract:
Alphaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses that contain several human pathogens. Due to intrinsic heterogeneity of alphavirus particles, a high resolution structure of the virion is currently lacking. Here we provide a 3.5 Å cryo-EM structure of Sindbis virus, using block based reconstruction method that overcomes the heterogeneity problem. Our structural analysis identifies a number of conserved residues that play pivotal roles in the virus life cycle. We identify a hydrophobic pocket in the subdomain D of E2 protein that is stabilized by an unknown pocket factor near the viral membrane. Residues in the pocket are conserved in different alphaviruses. The pocket strengthens the interactions of the E1/E2 heterodimer and may facilitate virus assembly. Our study provides structural insights into alphaviruses that may inform the design of drugs and vaccines.
Organizational Affiliation:
National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
