DSSR-PyMOL cartoon-block schematics: PDB entry 6jc3

PDB-id

6jc3; DSSR-derived features in text and JSON formats

Class

nuclear protein-RNA

Method

cryo-EM (4.8 Å)

Summary

The cryo-EM structure of nucleoprotein-RNA complex of newcastle disease virus

Reference

Song X, Shan H, Zhu Y, Hu S, Xue L, Chen Y, Ding W, Niu T, Gu J, Ouyang S, Shen QT, Liu ZJ (2019): "Self-capping of nucleoprotein filaments protects the Newcastle disease virus genome." Elife, 8. doi: 10.7554/eLife.45057.

Abstract

Non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses, such as measles, ebola and Newcastle disease viruses (NDV), encapsidate viral genomic RNAs into helical nucleocapsids, which serve as the template for viral replication and transcription. Here, the clam-shaped nucleocapsid structure, where the NDV viral genome is sequestered, was determined at 4.8 Å resolution by cryo-electron microscopy. The clam-shaped structure is composed of two single-turn spirals packed in a back-to-back mode. This tightly packed structure functions as a seed for the assembly of a nucleocapsid from both directions, facilitating the growth of double-headed filaments with two separate RNA strings inside. Disruption of this structure by mutations in its loop interface yielded a single-headed unfunctional filament.