title: The 3-dimensional structure of a hepatitis C virus p7 ion channel by electron microscopy.
abstract: Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a huge impact on global health putting more than 170 million people at risk of developing severe liver disease. The HCV encoded p7 ion channel is essential for the production of infectious viruses. Despite a growing body of functional data, little is known about the 3-dimensional (3D) structure of the channel. Here, we present the 3D structure of a full-length viroporin, the detergent-solubilized hexameric 42 kDa form of the HCV p7 ion channel, as determined by single-particle electron microscopy using the random conical tilting approach. The reconstruction of such a small protein complex was made possible by a combination of high-contrast staining, the symmetry, and the distinct structural features of the channel. The orientation of the p7 monomers within the density was established using immunolabeling with N and C termini specific F(ab) fragments. The density map at a resolution of approximately 16 A reveals a flower-shaped protein architecture with protruding petals oriented toward the ER lumen. This broadest part of the channel presents a comparatively large surface area providing potential interaction sites for cellular and virally encoded ER resident proteins.
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Oxford Glycobiology Institute, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom.
authors: Philipp
authors: P
authors: Luik
authors: Chee
authors: C
authors: Chew
authors: Jussi
authors: J
authors: Aittoniemi
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Chang
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Wentworth
authors: Raymond A
authors: RA
authors: Dwek
authors: Philip C
authors: PC
authors: Biggin
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Vénien-Bryan
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Zitzmann
mesh_terms: D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008958:Models, Molecular; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; C088369:p7 protein, Hepatitis C virus; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins