A Structural analysis of M protein in coronavirus assembly and morphology

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Structural analysis of M protein in coronavirus assembly and morphology

AU - W. Neuman, Benjamin

AU - Kiss, Gabriella

AU - H. Kunding, Andreas

AU - Bhella, David

AU - Baksh, M. Fazil

AU - Connelly, Stephen

AU - Droese, Ben

AU - P. Klaus, Joseph

AU - Makino, Shinji

AU - G. Sawicji, Stanley

AU - G. Siddell, Stuart

AU - Stamou, Dimitrios

AU - A. Wilson, Ian

AU - Kuhn, Peter

AU - J. Buchmeier, Michael

PY - 2011/4/1

Y1 - 2011/4/1

N2 - The M protein of coronavirus plays a central role in virus assembly, turning cellular membranes into workshops where virus and host factors come together to make new virus particles. We investigated how M structure and organization is related to virus shape and size using cryo-electron microscopy, tomography and statistical analysis. We present evidence that suggests M can adopt two conformations and that membrane curvature is regulated by one M conformer. Elongated M protein is associated with rigidity, clusters of spikes and a relatively narrow range of membrane curvature. In contrast, compact M protein is associated with flexibility and low spike density. Analysis of several types of virus-like particles and virions revealed that S protein, N protein and genomic RNA each help to regulate virion size and variation, presumably through interactions with M. These findings provide insight into how M protein functions to promote virus assembly.

AB - The M protein of coronavirus plays a central role in virus assembly, turning cellular membranes into workshops where virus and host factors come together to make new virus particles. We investigated how M structure and organization is related to virus shape and size using cryo-electron microscopy, tomography and statistical analysis. We present evidence that suggests M can adopt two conformations and that membrane curvature is regulated by one M conformer. Elongated M protein is associated with rigidity, clusters of spikes and a relatively narrow range of membrane curvature. In contrast, compact M protein is associated with flexibility and low spike density. Analysis of several types of virus-like particles and virions revealed that S protein, N protein and genomic RNA each help to regulate virion size and variation, presumably through interactions with M. These findings provide insight into how M protein functions to promote virus assembly.

U2 - 10.1016/j.jsb.2010.11.021

DO - 10.1016/j.jsb.2010.11.021

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21130884

SN - 1047-8477

VL - 174

SP - 11

EP - 22

JO - Journal of Structural Biology

JF - Journal of Structural Biology

IS - 1

ER -