Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.
Career Basics

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Published Online June 15, 2006
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1125280

Reports

Submitted on January 23, 2006
Accepted on May 17, 2006

Crystal Structure of the Rabies Virus Nucleoprotein-RNA Complex

Aurélie A. V. Albertini 1, Amy K. Wernimont 2, Tadeusz Muziol 2, Raimond B. G. Ravelli 2, Cedric R. Clapier 2, Guy Schoehn 1, Winfried Weissenhorn 2*, Rob W. H. Ruigrok 1

1 Institut de Virologie Moléculaire et Structurale, FRE 2854 Université Joseph Fourier-CNRS
2 European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Boite Postale 181, 38042 Grenoble, France.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Winfried Weissenhorn , E-mail: weissen{at}embl-grenoble.fr

Negative-strand RNA viruses condense their genome into a helical nucleoprotein-RNA complex, the nucleocapsid, which is packed into virions and serves as a template for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex. The crystal structure of a recombinant rabies virus nucleoprotein-RNA complex, organized in an undecameric ring, has been determined at 3.5 angstrom resolution. Polymerization of the nucleoprotein is achieved by domain exchange between protomers, with flexible hinges allowing nucleocapsid formation. The two core domains of the nucleoprotein clamp around the RNA at their interface and shield it from the environment. RNA sequestering by nucleoproteins is likely a common mechanism used by negative-strand RNA viruses to protect their genomes from the innate immune response directed against viral RNA in human host cells at certain stages of an infectious cycle.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Structure of the influenza virus A H5N1 nucleoprotein: implications for RNA binding, oligomerization, and vaccine design.
A. K.-L. Ng, H. Zhang, K. Tan, Z. Li, J.-h. Liu, P. K.-S. Chan, S.-M. Li, W.-Y. Chan, S. W.-N. Au, A. Joachimiak, et al. (2008)
FASEB J 22, 3638-3647
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cellular La Protein Shields Nonsegmented Negative-Strand RNA Viral Leader RNA from RIG-I and Enhances Virus Growth by Diverse Mechanisms.
V. Bitko, A. Musiyenko, M. A. Bayfield, R. J. Maraia, and S. Barik (2008)
J. Virol. 82, 7977-7987
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Role of Intermolecular Interactions of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Nucleoprotein in RNA Encapsidation.
X. Zhang, T. J. Green, J. Tsao, S. Qiu, and M. Luo (2008)
J. Virol. 82, 674-682
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Interaction of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus P and N Proteins: Identification of Two Overlapping Domains at the N Terminus of P That Are Involved in N0-P Complex Formation and Encapsidation of Viral Genome RNA.
M. Chen, T. Ogino, and A. K. Banerjee (2007)
J. Virol. 81, 13478-13485
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cis-acting elements in the antigenomic promoter of Nipah virus.
P. Walpita and C. J. Peters (2007)
J. Gen. Virol. 88, 2542-2551
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
RSV604, a Novel Inhibitor of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Replication.
J. Chapman, E. Abbott, D. G. Alber, R. C. Baxter, S. K. Bithell, E. A. Henderson, M. C. Carter, P. Chambers, A. Chubb, G. S. Cockerill, et al. (2007)
Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 51, 3346-3353
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The 24-Angstrom Structure of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nucleocapsid Protein-RNA Decameric Rings.
K. MacLellan, C. Loney, R. P. Yeo, and D. Bhella (2007)
J. Virol. 81, 9519-9524
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Membrane and protein dynamics in live plant nuclei infected with Sonchus yellow net virus, a plant-adapted rhabdovirus.
M. M. Goodin, R. Chakrabarty, S. Yelton, K. Martin, A. Clark, and R. Brooks (2007)
J. Gen. Virol. 88, 1810-1820
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sequence-specific binding of single-stranded RNA: is there a code for recognition?.
S. D. Auweter, F. C. Oberstrass, and F. H.-T. Allain (2006)
Nucleic Acids Res. 34, 4943-4959
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »



ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

To Advertise     Find Products


Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)