The coronavirus nucleocapsid protein is dynamically associated with the replication-transcription complexes.
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is a virion structural protein. It also functions, however, in an unknown way in viral replication and localizes to the viral replication-transcription complexes (RTCs). Here we investigated, using recombinant murine coronaviruses expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged versions of the N protein, the dynamics of its interactions with the RTCs and the domain(s) involved. Using fluorescent recovery after photobleaching, we showed that the N protein, unlike the nonstructural protein 2, is dynamically associated with the RTCs. Recruitment of the N protein to the RTCs requires the C-terminal N2b domain, which interacts with other N proteins in an RNA-independent manner.
Verheije
Monique H
MH
Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, Netherlands.
Hagemeijer
Marne C
MC
Ulasli
Mustafa
M
Reggiori
Fulvio
F
Rottier
Peter J M
PJ
Masters
Paul S
PS
de Haan
Cornelis A M
CA
D000818:Animals; D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D051379:Mice; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014779:Virus Replication
D000086462:Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins