The structure analysis and antigenicity study of the N protein of SARS-CoV.
The Coronaviridae family is characterized by a nucleocapsid that is composed of the genome RNA molecule in combination with the nucleoprotein (N protein) within a virion. The most striking physiochemical feature of the N protein of SARS-CoV is that it is a typical basic protein with a high predicted pI and high hydrophilicity, which is consistent with its function of binding to the ribophosphate backbone of the RNA molecule. The predicted high extent of phosphorylation of the N protein on multiple candidate phosphorylation sites demonstrates that it would be related to important functions, such as RNA-binding and localization to the nucleolus of host cells. Subsequent study shows that there is an SR-rich region in the N protein and this region might be involved in the protein-protein interaction. The abundant antigenic sites predicted in the N protein, as well as experimental evidence with synthesized polypeptides, indicate that the N protein is one of the major antigens of the SARS-CoV. Compared with other viral structural proteins, the low variation rate of the N protein with regards to its size suggests its importance to the survival of the virus.
Wang
Jingqiang
J
Beijing Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101300, China.
Ji
Jia
J
Ye
Jia
J
Zhao
Xiaoqian
X
Wen
Jie
J
Li
Wei
W
Hu
Jianfei
J
Li
Dawei
D
Sun
Min
M
Zeng
Haipan
H
Hu
Yongwu
Y
Tian
Xiangjun
X
Tan
Xuehai
X
Xu
Ningzhi
N
Zeng
Changqing
C
Wang
Jian
J
Bi
Shengli
S
Yang
Huanming
H
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D001482:Base Composition; D001483:Base Sequence; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D019295:Computational Biology; D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins