title: A De Novo Virus-Like Topology for Synthetic Virions.
abstract: A de novo topology of virus-like assembly is reported. The design is a trifaceted coiled-coil peptide helix, which self-assembles into ultrasmall, monodisperse, anionic virus-like shells that encapsulate and transfer both RNA and DNA into human cells. Unlike existing artificial systems, these shells share the same physical characteristics of viruses being anionic, nonaggregating, abundant, hollow, and uniform in size, while effectively mediating gene silencing and transgene expression. These are the smallest virus-like structures reported to date, both synthetic and native, with the ability to adapt and transfer small and large nucleic acids. The design thus offers a promising solution for engineering bespoke artificial viruses with desired functions.
authors: National Physical Laboratory , Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Noble
authors: National Physical Laboratory , Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors: Emiliana
authors: E
authors: De Santis
authors: National Physical Laboratory , Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors: Jascindra
authors: J
authors: Ravi
authors: National Physical Laboratory , Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors: Baptiste
authors: B
authors: Lamarre
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Reading , Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Castelletto
authors: Wolfson Bio-imaging Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol , Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Mantell
authors: SET, University of Brighton , Brighton BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom.
authors: Santanu
authors: S
authors: Ray
authors: National Physical Laboratory , Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom.
authors: Maxim G
authors: MG
authors: Ryadnov
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D002470:Cell Survival; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D015497:HIV-1; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D017510:Protein Folding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides