Conformational switch-defective X174 internal scaffolding proteins kinetically trap assembly intermediates before procapsid formation.

ABSTRACT: Conformational switching is an overarching paradigm in which to describe scaffolding protein-mediated virus assembly. However, rapid morphogenesis with small assembly subunits hinders the isolation of early morphogenetic intermediates in most model systems. Consequently, conformational switches are often defined by comparing the structures of virions, procapsids and aberrantly assembled particles. In contrast, X174 morphogenesis proceeds through at least three preprocapsid intermediates, which can be biochemically isolated. This affords a detailed analysis of early morphogenesis and internal scaffolding protein function. Amino acid substitutions were generated for the six C-terminal, aromatic amino acids that mediate most coat-internal scaffolding protein contacts. The biochemical characte

SUBMITTER: Gordon EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3446603 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature