title: Insights into the structure of human cytomegalovirus large terminase subunit pUL56.
abstract: Terminases are a class of proteins which catalyze the generation of unit-length genomes during DNA packaging. These essential proteins are conserved throughout the herpesviruses and many double-stranded DNA bacteriophages. We have determined the structure of the large terminase subunit pUL56 of human cytomegalovirus, a highly pathogenic virus, to 2.6 nm resolution. Image analysis of purified pUL56 suggests that the molecule exists as a dimer formed by the association of two ring-like structures positioned on top of each other and connected by a pronounced density on one side. The 3D reconstruction of pUL56 provides first structural insights into the active protein.
authors.affiliation: Microscopy and Imaging Center, Department of Biology, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843-2257, USA.
authors.forename: Christos G W
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Savva
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holzenburg
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bogner
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000378:metabolism; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019281:Dimerization; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005976:Glutaral / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011485:Protein Binding; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012263:Ribonucleosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013997:Time Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012263:Ribonucleosides; D014764:Viral Proteins; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; C030894:terminase; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D005976:Glutaral