The SR-rich motif in SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein is important for virus replication.
The multimerization/self-interaction of viral proteins is an important step in the process of viral assembly and maturation. Our previous study indicated that the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) nucleocapsid protein forms self-multimers through a serine-arginine (SR)-rich motif (SSRSSSRSRGNSR) by using a mammalian two-hybrid system. To determine the biological relevance of this motif, we constructed a SARS-CoV reverse genetic construct by using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based vector controlled by a T7 promoter; and subsequently deleted the SR-rich motif from the N gene. The mutated infectious clone showed reduced level of genome transcription and significantly reduced levels of the infectious virions. These results strongly suggest that the SR-rich motif is critical for effective virus replication.
National Microbiology Laboratory, Health Canada, 1015 Arlington St, Winnipeg, MB R3E3R2, Canada.
Shaun
S
Tylor
Anton
A
Andonov
Todd
T
Cutts
Jingxin
J
Cao
Elsey
E
Grudesky
Gary
G
Van Domselaar
Xuguang
X
Li
Runtao
R
He
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000737:chemistry; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012694:Serine / Q000737:chemistry; D014162:Transfection; D014709:Vero Cells; D014779:Virus Replication
D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D012694:Serine; D001120:Arginine