Structure of immature West Nile virus.
The structure of immature West Nile virus particles, propagated in the presence of ammonium chloride to block virus maturation in the low-pH environment of the trans-Golgi network, was determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structure of these particles was similar to that of immature West Nile virus particles found as a minor component of mature virus samples (naturally occurring immature particles [NOIPs]). The structures of mature infectious flaviviruses are radically different from those of the immature particles. The similarity of the ammonium chloride-treated particles and NOIPs suggests either that the NOIPs have not undergone any conformational change during maturation or that the conformational change is reversible. Comparison with the cryo-EM reconstruction of immature dengue virus established the locations of the N-linked glycosylation sites of these viruses, verifying the interpretation of the reconstructions of the immature flaviviruses.
Zhang
Ying
Y
Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA.
Kaufmann
Bärbel
B
Chipman
Paul R
PR
Kuhn
Richard J
RJ
Rossmann
Michael G
MG
D000818:Animals; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*