Enterovirus 70 (EV70) is a human pathogen belonging to the family Picornaviridae. EV70 is transmitted by eye secretions and causes acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, a serious eye disease. Despite the severity of the disease caused by EV70, its structure is unknown. Here, we present the structures of the EV70 virion, altered particle, and empty capsid determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The capsid of EV70 is composed of the subunits VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4. The partially collapsed hydrophobic pocket located in VP1 of the EV70 virion is not occupied by a pocket factor, which is commonly present in other enteroviruses. Nevertheless, we show that the pocket can be targeted by the antiviral compounds WIN51711 and pleconaril, which block virus infection. The inhibitors prevent genome release by stabilizing EV70 particles. Knowledge of the structures of complexes of EV70 with inhibitors will enable the development of capsid-binding therapeutics against this virus. IMPORTANCE Globally distributed enterovirus 70 (EV70) causes local outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. The discharge from infected eyes enables the high-efficiency transmission of EV70 in overcrowded areas with low hygienic standards. Currently, only symptomatic treatments are available. We determined the structures of EV70 in its native form, the genome release intermediate, and the empty capsid resulting from genome release. Furthermore, we elucidated the structures of EV70 in complex with two inhibitors that block virus infection, and we describe the mechanism of their binding to the virus capsid. These results enable the development of therapeutics against EV70.

• MeSH
• akutní hemoragická konjunktivitida virologie   MeSH
• antivirové látky * farmakologie   MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
• kapsida * ultrastruktura   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidský enterovirus D * účinky léků   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• oxadiazoly farmakologie   MeSH
• oxazoly farmakologie   MeSH
• virion účinky léků   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Viral nanoparticles represent potential natural versatile platforms for targeted gene and drug delivery. Improving the efficiency of gene transfer mediated by viral vectors could not only enhance their therapeutic potential, but also contribute to understanding the limitations in interactions of nanoparticles with cells and the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this study, four cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), cationic octaarginine (R8), histidine-rich peptides (LAH4 and KH27K) and fusogenic peptide (FUSO), are investigated for their effect on infection by mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) or on transduction of reporter genes delivered by MPyV or related viral vectors. Peptides noncovalently associated with viral particles enhance gene transfer (with the exception of FUSO). Removal of cellular heparan sulfates by the heparinase does not significantly change the enhancing potential of CPPs. Instead, CPPs influences the physical state of viral particles: R8 slightly destabilizes the intact virus, KH27K induces its aggregation and LAH4 promotes disassembly and aggregation of the particles that massively and rapidly associate with cells. The findings indicate that peptides acting as transduction-enhancing agents of polyomavirus-based nanoparticles modulate their physical state, which can be an important prerequisite for sensitization of cells and determination of the further fate of viral particles inside cells.

• MeSH
• genetické vektory * MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• kapsida metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• oligopeptidy chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• penetrační peptidy chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• Polyomavirus genetika   metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• transdukce genetická * MeSH
• virion genetika   metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Bacteriophage PR772, a member of the Tectiviridae family, has a 70 nm diameter icosahedral protein capsid that encapsulates a lipid membrane, dsDNA, and various internal proteins. An icosahedrally averaged CryoEM reconstruction of the wild-type virion and a localized reconstruction of the vertex region reveal the composition and the structure of the vertex complex along with new protein conformations that play a vital role in maintaining the capsid architecture of the virion. The overall resolution of the virion is 2.75 Å, while the resolution of the protein capsid is 2.3 Å. The conventional penta-symmetron formed by the capsomeres is replaced by a large vertex complex in the pseudo T = 25 capsid. All the vertices contain the host-recognition protein, P5; two of these vertices show the presence of the receptor-binding protein, P2. The 3D structure of the vertex complex shows interactions with the viral membrane, indicating a possible mechanism for viral infection.

• MeSH
• bakteriofágy ultrastruktura   MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie * MeSH
• kapsida ultrastruktura   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• počítačové zpracování obrazu MeSH
• Tectiviridae ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny ultrastruktura   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Viruses from the genus Enterovirus are important human pathogens. Receptor binding or exposure to acidic pH in endosomes converts enterovirus particles to an activated state that is required for genome release. However, the mechanism of enterovirus uncoating is not well understood. Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy to visualize virions of human echovirus 18 in the process of genome release. We discover that the exit of the RNA from the particle of echovirus 18 results in a loss of one, two, or three adjacent capsid-protein pentamers. The opening in the capsid, which is more than 120 Å in diameter, enables the release of the genome without the need to unwind its putative double-stranded RNA segments. We also detect capsids lacking pentamers during genome release from echovirus 30. Thus, our findings uncover a mechanism of enterovirus genome release that could become target for antiviral drugs.

• MeSH
• Cercopithecus aethiops MeSH
• dvouvláknová RNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
• enterovirus B lidský genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• epitelové buňky ultrastruktura   virologie   MeSH
• genom virový * MeSH
• kapsida chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• RNA virová chemie   genetika   MeSH
• simulace molekulární dynamiky MeSH
• svlékání virového obalu genetika   MeSH
• virion genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Retroviruses assemble and bud from infected cells in an immature form and require proteolytic maturation for infectivity. The CA (capsid) domains of the Gag polyproteins assemble a protein lattice as a truncated sphere in the immature virion. Proteolytic cleavage of Gag induces dramatic structural rearrangements; a subset of cleaved CA subsequently assembles into the mature core, whose architecture varies among retroviruses. Murine leukemia virus (MLV) is the prototypical γ-retrovirus and serves as the basis of retroviral vectors, but the structure of the MLV CA layer is unknown. Here we have combined X-ray crystallography with cryoelectron tomography to determine the structures of immature and mature MLV CA layers within authentic viral particles. This reveals the structural changes associated with maturation, and, by comparison with HIV-1, uncovers conserved and variable features. In contrast to HIV-1, most MLV CA is used for assembly of the mature core, which adopts variable, multilayered morphologies and does not form a closed structure. Unlike in HIV-1, there is similarity between protein-protein interfaces in the immature MLV CA layer and those in the mature CA layer, and structural maturation of MLV could be achieved through domain rotations that largely maintain hexameric interactions. Nevertheless, the dramatic architectural change on maturation indicates that extensive disassembly and reassembly are required for mature core growth. The core morphology suggests that wrapping of the genome in CA sheets may be sufficient to protect the MLV ribonucleoprotein during cell entry.

• MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
• genové produkty gag chemie   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• HIV-1 chemie   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• kapsida chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
• kvarterní struktura proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• myši MeSH
• proteinové domény MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• sekvenční homologie aminokyselin MeSH
• tomografie elektronová MeSH
• virion chemie   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny chemie   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virus myší leukemie chemie   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) blur the line between viruses and cells. Melbournevirus (MelV, family Marseilleviridae) belongs to a new family of NCLDVs. Here we present an electron cryo-microscopy structure of the MelV particle, with the large triangulation number T = 309 constructed by 3080 pseudo-hexagonal capsomers. The most distinct feature of the particle is a large and dense body (LDB) consistently found inside all particles. Electron cryo-tomography of 147 particles shows that the LDB is preferentially located in proximity to the probable lipid bilayer. The LDB is 30 nm in size and its density matches that of a genome/protein complex. The observed LDB reinforces the structural complexity of MelV, setting it apart from other NCLDVs.

• MeSH
• DNA viry genetika   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
• genom virový MeSH
• kapsida metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• sestavení viru MeSH
• virion genetika   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virové proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The worldwide population of western honey bees (Apis mellifera) is under pressure from habitat loss, environmental stress, and pathogens, particularly viruses that cause lethal epidemics. Deformed wing virus (DWV) from the family Iflaviridae, together with its vector, the mite Varroa destructor, is likely the major threat to the world's honey bees. However, lack of knowledge of the atomic structures of iflaviruses has hindered the development of effective treatments against them. Here, we present the virion structures of DWV determined to a resolution of 3.1 Å using cryo-electron microscopy and 3.8 Å by X-ray crystallography. The C-terminal extension of capsid protein VP3 folds into a globular protruding (P) domain, exposed on the virion surface. The P domain contains an Asp-His-Ser catalytic triad that is, together with five residues that are spatially close, conserved among iflaviruses. These residues may participate in receptor binding or provide the protease, lipase, or esterase activity required for entry of the virus into a host cell. Furthermore, nucleotides of the DWV RNA genome interact with VP3 subunits. The capsid protein residues involved in the RNA binding are conserved among honey bee iflaviruses, suggesting a putative role of the genome in stabilizing the virion or facilitating capsid assembly. Identifying the RNA-binding and putative catalytic sites within the DWV virion structure enables future analyses of how DWV and other iflaviruses infect insect cells and also opens up possibilities for the development of antiviral treatments.

• MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
• kapsida ultrastruktura   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• počítačové zpracování obrazu MeSH
• proteinové domény MeSH
• RNA-viry ultrastruktura   MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• včely virologie   MeSH
• virion ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• viry hmyzu ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Viruses from the family Iflaviridae are insect pathogens. Many of them, including slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV), cause lethal diseases in honeybees and bumblebees, resulting in agricultural losses. Iflaviruses have nonenveloped icosahedral virions containing single-stranded RNA genomes. However, their genome release mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that low pH promotes SBPV genome release, indicating that the virus may use endosomes to enter host cells. We used cryo-EM to study a heterogeneous population of SBPV virions at pH 5.5. We determined the structures of SBPV particles before and after genome release to resolutions of 3.3 and 3.4 Å, respectively. The capsids of SBPV virions in low pH are not expanded. Thus, SBPV does not appear to form "altered" particles with pores in their capsids before genome release, as is the case in many related picornaviruses. The egress of the genome from SBPV virions is associated with a loss of interpentamer contacts mediated by N-terminal arms of VP2 capsid proteins, which result in the expansion of the capsid. Pores that are 7 Å in diameter form around icosahedral threefold symmetry axes. We speculate that they serve as channels for the genome release. Our findings provide an atomic-level characterization of the genome release mechanism of iflaviruses.

• MeSH
• Dicistroviridae genetika   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie MeSH
• genom virový MeSH
• kapsida ultrastruktura   MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• Picornaviridae genetika   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• statická elektřina MeSH
• svlékání virového obalu fyziologie   MeSH
• včely virologie   MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• viry hmyzu genetika   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

UNLABELLED: The western honeybee (Apis mellifera) is the most important commercial insect pollinator. However, bees are under pressure from habitat loss, environmental stress, and pathogens, including viruses that can cause lethal epidemics. Slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV) belongs to the Iflaviridae family of nonenveloped single-stranded RNA viruses. Here we present the structure of the SBPV virion determined from two crystal forms to resolutions of 3.4 Å and 2.6 Å. The overall structure of the virion resembles that of picornaviruses, with the three major capsid proteins VP1 to 3 organized into a pseudo-T3 icosahedral capsid. However, the SBPV capsid protein VP3 contains a C-terminal globular domain that has not been observed in other viruses from the order Picornavirales The protruding (P) domains form "crowns" on the virion surface around each 5-fold axis in one of the crystal forms. However, the P domains are shifted 36 Å toward the 3-fold axis in the other crystal form. Furthermore, the P domain contains the Ser-His-Asp triad within a surface patch of eight conserved residues that constitutes a putative catalytic or receptor-binding site. The movements of the domain might be required for efficient substrate cleavage or receptor binding during virus cell entry. In addition, capsid protein VP2 contains an RGD sequence that is exposed on the virion surface, indicating that integrins might be cellular receptors of SBPV. IMPORTANCE: Pollination by honeybees is needed to sustain agricultural productivity as well as the biodiversity of wild flora. However, honeybee populations in Europe and North America have been declining since the 1950s. Honeybee viruses from the Iflaviridae family are among the major causes of honeybee colony mortality. We determined the virion structure of an Iflavirus, slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV). SBPV exhibits unique structural features not observed in other picorna-like viruses. The SBPV capsid protein VP3 has a large C-terminal domain, five of which form highly prominent protruding "crowns" on the virion surface. However, the domains can change their positions depending on the conditions of the environment. The domain includes a putative catalytic or receptor binding site that might be important for SBPV cell entry.

• MeSH
• kapsida ultrastruktura   MeSH
• krystalografie rentgenová MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• RNA-viry ultrastruktura   MeSH
• včely virologie   MeSH
• virion ultrastruktura   MeSH
• virové struktury * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In contrast to other retroviruses, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) assembles immature capsids in the cytoplasm. We have compared the ability of minimal assembly-competent domains from M-PMV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to assemble in vitro into virus-like particles in the presence and absence of nucleic acids. A fusion protein comprised of the capsid and nucleocapsid domains of Gag (CANC) and its N-terminally modified mutant (DeltaProCANC) were used to mimic the assembly of the viral core and immature particles, respectively. In contrast to HIV-1, where CANC assembled efficiently into cylindrical structures, the same domains of M-PMV were assembly incompetent. The addition of RNA or oligonucleotides did not complement this defect. In contrast, the M-PMV DeltaProCANC molecule was able to assemble into spherical particles, while that of HIV-1 formed both spheres and cylinders. For M-PMV, the addition of purified RNA increased the efficiency with which DeltaProCANC formed spherical particles both in terms of the overall amount and the numbers of completed spheres. The amount of RNA incorporated was determined, and for both rRNA and MS2-RNA, quantities similar to that of genomic RNA were encapsidated. Oligonucleotides also stimulated assembly; however, they were incorporated into DeltaProCANC spherical particles in trace amounts that could not serve as a stoichiometric structural component for assembly. Thus, oligonucleotides may, through a transient interaction, induce conformational changes that facilitate assembly, while longer RNAs appear to facilitate the complete assembly of spherical particles.

• MeSH
• bezbuněčný systém MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• genom virový fyziologie   MeSH
• genové produkty gag genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• HIV-1 fyziologie   izolace a purifikace   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• kapsida metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Masonův-Pfizerův opičí virus fyziologie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• oligonukleotidy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA virová genetika   metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• sestavení viru fyziologie   MeSH
• terciární struktura proteinů účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• srovnávací studie MeSH