Identification of domains in rubella virus genomic RNA and capsid protein necessary for specific interaction.
In rubella virus-infected cells, genomic 40S and subgenomic 24S RNAs are present in the cytoplasm of infected cells. However, encapsidation by rubella virus capsid protein is specific for 40S genomic RNA. As a first step toward understanding the assembly of rubella virus nucleocapsid at the molecular level, the interaction between capsid protein and genomic RNA was studied by Northwestern (RNA-protein) blot analysis. RNA probes prepared by in vitro transcription were used to localize the RNA sequence that participates in binding to the capsid protein. We have identified a 29-nucleotide RNA sequence (nucleotides 347 to 375) that is essential for the binding. By using overlapping synthetic peptides of capsid protein, a peptide domain (residues 28 to 56) that displays specific RNA-binding activity of capsid protein has been located. This result suggests that the specific recognition of viral RNA during rubella virus assembly involves, at least in part, the nucleocapsid protein.
Liu
Z
Z
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Yang
D
D
Qiu
Z
Z
Lim
K T
KT
Chong
P
P
Gillam
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002213:Capsid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014709:Vero Cells; D019065:Virus Assembly
D012367:RNA, Viral; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins