Involvement of lipids in membrane binding of mouse hepatitis virus nucleocapsid protein.
Evidence is presented which indicates that membrane binding of the MHV nucleocapsid (N) protein is influenced by membrane lipid composition. Binding of N protein to membranes of mouse fibroblast L-2 cells is very specific and occurs under conditions in which no other viral or cellular proteins show detectable binding. Binding occurs rapidly and does not require the presence of divalent cations such as Ca++ or Mg++. Purified phospholipid liposomes compete against N protein binding to membranes. Phospholipids consisting of cardiolipin are the most effective in inhibiting membrane binding. Because of certain structural similarities between phospholipids and nucleic acids, we speculate that membrane lipid association of the N protein may compete for RNA binding sites on the N protein. Such a mechanism may be important for processes such as nucleocapsid uncoating and nucleocapsid assembly.
Wong
F
F
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta.
Anderson
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002213:Capsid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007739:L Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D008081:Liposomes; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D002308:Cardiolipins; D008081:Liposomes; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014758:Viral Core Proteins