Diversity of Short Linear Interaction Motifs in SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein.

ABSTRACT: Molecular mimicry of short linear interaction motifs has emerged as a key mechanism for viral proteins binding host domains and hijacking host cell processes. Here, we examine the role of RNA-virus sequence diversity in the dynamics of the virus-host interface, by analyzing the uniquely vast sequence record of viable SARS-CoV-2 species with focus on the multi-functional nucleocapsid protein. We observe the abundant presentation of motifs encoding several essential host protein interactions, alongside a majority of possibly non-functional and randomly occurring motif sequences absent in subsets of viable virus species. A large number of motifs emerge ex nihilo through transient mutations relative to the ancestral consensus sequence. The observed mutational landscape implies an access

SUBMITTER: Schuck P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10542142 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature