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The role of oligomerization for the biological functions of the arenavirus nucleoprotein

The role of oligomerization for the biological functions of the arenavirus nucleoprotein The Lassa virus nucleoprotein (NP) is a multifunctional protein that plays an essential role in many aspects of the viral life cycle, including RNA encapsidation, viral transcription and replication, recruitment of ribonucleoprotein complexes to viral budding sites, and inhibition of the host cell interferon response. While it is known that NP is capable of forming oligomers, both the oligomeric state of NP in mammalian cells and the significance of NP oligomerization for its various functions remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Lassa virus NP solely forms trimers upon expression in mammalian cells. Using a minigenome assay we show that mutants that are not able to form stable trimers are no longer functional during transcription and/or replication of the minigenome, indicating that NP trimerization is essential for transcription and/or replication of the viral genome. However, mutations leading to destabilization of the NP trimer did not impact the incorporation of NP into virus-like particles or its ability to suppress interferon-induced gene expression, two important functions of arenavirus NP. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Virology Springer Journals

The role of oligomerization for the biological functions of the arenavirus nucleoprotein

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References (36)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © Springer-Verlag Wien 2013
Subject
Biomedicine; Virology; Medical Microbiology; Infectious Diseases
ISSN
0304-8608
eISSN
1432-8798
DOI
10.1007/s00705-013-1684-9
pmid
23553456
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The Lassa virus nucleoprotein (NP) is a multifunctional protein that plays an essential role in many aspects of the viral life cycle, including RNA encapsidation, viral transcription and replication, recruitment of ribonucleoprotein complexes to viral budding sites, and inhibition of the host cell interferon response. While it is known that NP is capable of forming oligomers, both the oligomeric state of NP in mammalian cells and the significance of NP oligomerization for its various functions remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Lassa virus NP solely forms trimers upon expression in mammalian cells. Using a minigenome assay we show that mutants that are not able to form stable trimers are no longer functional during transcription and/or replication of the minigenome, indicating that NP trimerization is essential for transcription and/or replication of the viral genome. However, mutations leading to destabilization of the NP trimer did not impact the incorporation of NP into virus-like particles or its ability to suppress interferon-induced gene expression, two important functions of arenavirus NP.

Journal

Archives of VirologySpringer Journals

Published: Sep 1, 2013

Keywords: HEK293T Cell; Viral Life Cycle; Interferon Response; Odyssey Infrared Image System; Lassa Fever

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