title: DNA-induced structural changes in the papillomavirus capsid.
abstract: Human papillomavirus capsid assembly requires intercapsomeric disulfide bonds between molecules of the major capsid protein L1. Virions isolated from naturally occurring lesions have a higher degree of cross-linking than virus-like particles (VLPs), which have been generated in eukaryotic expression systems. Here we show that DNA encapsidation into VLPs leads to increased cross-linking between L1 molecules comparable to that seen in virions. A higher trypsin resistance, indicating a tighter association of capsomeres through DNA interaction, accompanies this structural change.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, D-55101 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fligge
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Selinka
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sapp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sapp
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D014771:Virion / Q000502:physiology; D019065:Virus Assembly
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral