Aviadenovirus structure: A highly thermostable capsid in the absence of stabilizing proteins
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High-resolution structural studies have mainly focused on two out of the six adenovirus genera: mastadenoviruses and atadenoviruses. Here we report the high-resolution structure of an aviadenovirus, the poultry pathogen fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-C4). FAdV-C4 virions are highly thermostable, despite lacking minor coat and core proteins shown to stabilize the mast- and atadenovirus particles, having no genus-specific cementing proteins, and packaging a 25% longer genome. Unique structural features of the FAdV-C4 hexon include a large insertion at the trimer equatorial region, and a long N-terminal tail. Protein IIIa conformation is closer to atadenoviruses than to mastadenoviruses, while protein VIII diverges from all previously reported structures. We interpret these differences in light of adenovirus evolution. Finally, we discuss the possible role of core composition in determining capsid stability properties. These results enlarge our view on the structural diversity of adenoviruses, and provide useful information to counteract fowl pathogens or use non-human adenoviruses as vectors.
Source: PLoS Pathogens
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,043
Funders: “la Caixa” Foundation, Diamond Light Source, Comunidad de Madrid, European Commission, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council, NextGenerationEU
Awards: G1075250362, G1161719603, G1175115578, G118516010, G1255325603, G1388164741, G1516969859, G1622782223, G1732393212, G2245337679, G2262748287, G2601397997, G2673512141, G300979063, G3248107171, G3418706032, G3450457267, G3480869486, G3505566462, G3681454997, G4042783231, G410571670, G425668148, G4396449903, G4442677895, G451917667, G4526231891, G4560976513, G4614826280, G464105488, G4993383890, G5080475149, G5158045176, G5178665745, G5195188938, Intelligent design of adenovirus vectors (iAds), G5539308778, G5955501538, G5967599077, G598773271, G6083578192, G6332770954, G6555199782, G7084143925, G7203474276, Integrative characterisation of Novel adenovirus VECtors aimed at Therapeutic Applications, G7731791180, G7818167644, G7983902069, G8684520763
OpenAlex ID: W4415033510