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-Structure paper
Title | Visualising a viral RNA genome poised for release from its receptor complex. |
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Journal, issue, pages | J Mol Biol, Vol. 408, Issue 3, Page 408-419, Year 2011 |
Publish date | May 6, 2011 |
Authors | Katerina Toropova / Peter G Stockley / Neil A Ranson / |
PubMed Abstract | We describe the cryo-electron microscopy structure of bacteriophage MS2 bound to its receptor, the bacterial F-pilus. The virus contacts the pilus at a capsid 5-fold vertex, thus locating the surface- ...We describe the cryo-electron microscopy structure of bacteriophage MS2 bound to its receptor, the bacterial F-pilus. The virus contacts the pilus at a capsid 5-fold vertex, thus locating the surface-accessible portion of the single copy of the pilin-binding maturation protein present in virions. This arrangement allows a 5-fold averaged map to be calculated, showing for the first time in any virus-receptor complex the nonuniform distribution of RNA within the capsid. Strikingly, at the vertex that contacts the pilus, a rod of density that may include contributions from both genome and maturation protein sits above a channel that goes through the capsid to the outside. This density is reminiscent of the DNA density observed in the exit channel of double-stranded DNA phages, suggesting that the RNA-maturation protein complex is poised to leave the capsid as the first step of the infection process. |
External links | J Mol Biol / PubMed:21376055 |
Methods | EM (single particle) |
Resolution | 19.0 - 24.0 Å |
Structure data | EMDB-1859: EMDB-1860: EMDB-1861: |
Source |
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