Crystal structure of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus leader protease Nsp1alpha.

ABSTRACT: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (PRRSV), a positive-strand RNA virus that belongs to the Arteriviridae family of Nidovirales, has been identified as the causative agent of PRRS. Nsp1alpha is the amino (N)-terminal protein in a polyprotein encoded by the PRRSV genome and is reported to be crucial for subgenomic mRNA synthesis, presumably by serving as a transcription factor. Before functioning in transcription, nsp1alpha proteolytically releases itself from nsp1beta. However, the structural basis for the self-releasing and biological functions of nsp1alpha remains elusive. Here we report the crystal structure of nsp1alpha of PRRSV (strain XH-GD) in its naturally self-processed form. Nsp1alpha contains a ZF domain (which may be required for its biological function)

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2772781 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature