title: Trafficking motifs in the SARS-coronavirus nucleocapsid protein.
abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is involved in virus replication and modulation of cell processes. In this latter respect control may in part be achieved through the sub-cellular localisation of the protein. N protein predominately localises in the cytoplasm (the site of virus replication and assembly) but also in the nucleus/nucleolus. Using a combination of live-cell and confocal microscopy coupled to mutagenesis we identified a cryptic nucleolar localisation signal in the central part of the N protein. In addition, based on structural comparison to the avian coronavirus N protein, a nuclear export signal was identified in the C-terminal region of the protein.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Jae-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Julian A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hiscox
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D011485:Protein Binding; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins