Work

Components of the Reovirus Capsid Differentially Contribute to Stability

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Nonenveloped and enveloped viruses are exposed to the environment during transmission to a new host. Protein-protein and/or protein-lipid interactions stabilize the particle and protect the viral genome. Mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) is composed of two concentric, protein shells. The μ1 and σ3 proteins form the outer capsid; contacts between neighboring subunits are thought to confer resistance to inactivating agents. We further investigated the determinants of reovirus stability. The outer capsid was disrupted concurrent with the loss of infectivity; virion associated μ1 rearranged into an altered conformation. Heat sensitivity was controlled by σ3; however, particle integrity was enhanced by a single μ1 mutation. In contrast, the inner capsid (core) displayed superior resistance to heating. These findings reveal structural components that differentially contribute to reovirus stability.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01894-18

Authors: Anthony J. Snyder, Joseph Che-Yen Wang, Pranav Danthi

Institutions: Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University

Language: English

Topic: Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Awards: Characterizing the Role of Specific Host Lipids during Reovirus Cell Entry, Regulating the Detection of Reovirus Infection