Evidence that a central domain of nucleocapsid protein is required for RNA packaging in murine leukemia virus.
We have analyzed RNA packaging by a series of mutants altered in the nucleocapsid (NC) protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV). We found that mutants lacking residues 8 through 11 or 44 through 60 of NC package Mo-MuLV RNA with virtually the same efficiency as wild-type Mo-MuLV. In contrast, point mutants altered at the conserved cysteines in the cysteine array (residues 26 and 29) and a mutant lacking residues 16 through 23 packaged Mo-MuLV RNA with approximately 1% of the efficiency of wild-type Mo-MuLV. The deficiency in packaged RNA was observed not only in Northern (RNA) analysis but also in an RNA-PCR assay, which would detect degraded as well as intact RNA. One of the cysteine array mutants was also shown to be defective with respect to encapsidation of hygromycin phosphotransferase mRNA containing a Mo-MuLV packaging signal. We suggest that a central region of NC, consisting of the cysteine array and flanking basic residues, is required for RNA packaging in Mo-MuLV.
Rein
A
A
ABL-Basic Research Program, NCI-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Maryland 21702.
Harvin
D P
DP
Mirro
J
J
Ernst
S M
SM
Gorelick
R J
RJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008979:Moloney murine leukemia virus / Q000254:growth & development*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication; D016335:Zinc Fingers
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014758:Viral Core Proteins