Capsids, Matrices and Vesicles : Structural Insights into the Assembly of Paramyxoviruses
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Paramyxoviridae constitute a family of pleomorphic, enveloped viruses including several human pathogens. Understanding of the structure and assembly of paramyxoviruses has been hindered by the lack of whole-virion three-dimensional structures. In this work, measles and human respiratory syncytial viruses were studied with three-dimensional electron microscopy and biochemical analysis of recombinant proteins. The analysis revealed significant differences in the structure and assembly of the two viruses. The differences were most notable in the way the matrix protein, the main factor driving budding from host cell, was organized inside the virions. In measles virions, the matrix was found to cover the genome-containing ribonucleocapsid, whereas in human respiratory syncytial virus the matrix was lining the inner surface of the membrane vesicle. These differences have implications on models of how each ribonucleoprotein complex assembles and how the viruses bud from the host cell. The early control of measles ribonucleoprotein assembly was subsequently investigated to further reveal the details of the precise manner in which the intricate molecular ballet of viral assembly is orchestrated inside the host cell. The results presented in this thesis expand the understanding of enveloped virus structure and assembly, which is important in rational approaches to fight the pathogenic members in the group.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Lassi Liljeroos
Language: English
Topic: Virology and Viral Diseases
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1597625311