7QVX

Cryo-EM structure of coxsackievirus A6 altered particle

Summary for 7QVX

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb7qvx/pdb
• EMDB information: 14183
• Descriptor: Capsid protein VP1, Capsid protein VP2, Capsid protein VP3 (3 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: enterovirus, coxsackievirus a6, altered particle, capsid, cryo-em, virus
• Biological source: Coxsackievirus A6; More
• Total number of polymer chains: 3
• Total formula weight: 88026.76

Authors

Buttner, C.R.,Spurny, R.,Fuzik, T.,Plevka, P. (deposition date: 2022-01-24, release date: 2022-09-07, Last modification date: 2024-07-17)

Primary citation

Buttner, C.R.,Spurny, R.,Fuzik, T.,Plevka, P.
Cryo-electron microscopy and image classification reveal the existence and structure of the coxsackievirus A6 virion.
Commun Biol, 5:898-898, 2022

PubMed Abstract: Coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) has recently overtaken enterovirus A71 and CV-A16 as the primary causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease worldwide. Virions of CV-A6 were not identified in previous structural studies, and it was speculated that the virus is unique among enteroviruses in using altered particles with expanded capsids to infect cells. In contrast, the virions of other enteroviruses are required for infection. Here we used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the structures of the CV-A6 virion, altered particle, and empty capsid. We show that the CV-A6 virion has features characteristic of virions of other enteroviruses, including a compact capsid, VP4 attached to the inner capsid surface, and fatty acid-like molecules occupying the hydrophobic pockets in VP1 subunits. Furthermore, we found that in a purified sample of CV-A6, the ratio of infectious units to virions is 1 to 500. Therefore, it is likely that virions of CV-A6 initiate infection, like those of other enteroviruses. Our results provide evidence that future vaccines against CV-A6 should target its virions instead of the antigenically distinct altered particles. Furthermore, the structure of the virion provides the basis for the rational development of capsid-binding inhibitors that block the genome release of CV-A6.

PubMed: 36056184
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03863-2

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (2.5 Å)