title: Analysis of minimal sequences on JC virus VP1 required for capsid assembly.
abstract: Human JC virus (JCV) belongs to the family of Polyomaviridae. The viral capsid is composed of 72 capsomeres. Five VP1 molecules make up a capsomere structure. To investigate the minimal sequences on JCV VP1 polypeptide required for capsid assembly, the first 12 (Delta N12) and 19 (Delta N19) amino acids at the N-terminus and the last 16 (Delta C16), 17 (Delta C17), and 31 (Delta C31) amino acids at the C-terminus of VP1 were truncated and expressed in E. coli. The VP1 proteins of Delta N12 and Delta C16 were able to self-assemble into a virus-like particle similar to that of wild-type (WT) VP1. However, the mutant proteins of Delta N19, Delta C17, and Delta C31 formed a pentameric capsomere structure as demonstrated by a 10-50% sucrose gradient centrifugation and electron microscopy. These results suggest that the 12 amino-terminal and 16 carboxy-terminal amino acids of VP1 are dispensable for the formation of virus-like particles, and further truncation at either end of VP1 leads to the loss of this property.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hseu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; C062481:VP1 protein, polyomavirus