Dissection and identification of regions required to form pseudoparticles by the interaction between the nucleocapsid (N) and membrane (M) proteins of SARS coronavirus.

ABSTRACT: When expressed in mammalian cells, the nucleocapsid (N) and membrane (M) proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) are sufficient to form pseudoparticles. To identify region(s) of the N molecule required for pseudoparticle formation, we performed biochemical analysis of the interaction of N mutants and M in HEK293 cells. Using a peptide library derived from N, we found that amino acids 101-115 constituted a novel binding site for M. We examined the ability of N mutants to interact with M and form pseudoparticles, and our observations indicated that M bound to NDelta(101-115), N1-150, N151-300, and N301-422, but not to N1-150Delta(101-115). However, pseudoparticles were formed when NDelta(101-115) or N301-422, but not N1-150 or N151-300, were expressed with M

SUBMITTER: Hatakeyama S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7103410 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature