SNAP output for PDB entry 2wj8 [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

2wj8; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

RNA binding protein-RNA

Method

X-ray (3.29 Å)

Summary

Respiratory syncitial virus ribonucleoprotein

Reference

Tawar RG, Duquerroy S, Vonrhein C, Varela PF, Damier-Piolle L, Castagne N, Maclellan K, Bedouelle H, Bricogne G, Bhella D, Eleouet J, Rey FA (2009): "Crystal Structure of a Nucleocapsid-Like Nucleoprotein-RNA Complex of Respiratory Syncytial Virus." Science, 326, 1279. doi: 10.1126/SCIENCE.1177634.

Abstract

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important human pathogen, yet neither a vaccine nor effective therapies are available to treat infection. To help elucidate the replication mechanism of this RNA virus, we determined the three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure at 3.3 A resolution of a decameric, annular ribonucleoprotein complex of the RSV nucleoprotein (N) bound to RNA. This complex mimics one turn of the viral helical nucleocapsid complex, which serves as template for viral RNA synthesis. The RNA wraps around the protein ring, with seven nucleotides contacting each N subunit, alternating rows of four and three stacked bases that are exposed and buried within a protein groove, respectively. Combined with electron microscopy data, this structure provides a detailed model for the RSV nucleocapsid, in which the bases are accessible for readout by the viral polymerase. Furthermore, the nucleoprotein structure highlights possible key sites for drug targeting.