Specific interaction of capsid protein and importin-{alpha}/{beta} influences West Nile virus production

Journal Article · Fri Nov 06 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2009.08.108· OSTI ID:22199860

Bhuvanakantham, Raghavan; Chong, Mun-Keat ^[1]; Ng, Mah-Lee ^[1]

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1. Flavivirology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, 5 Science Drive 2, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597 (Singapore)

West Nile virus (WNV) capsid (C) protein has been shown to enter the nucleus of infected cells. However, the mechanism by which C protein enters the nucleus is unknown. In this study, we have unveiled for the first time that nuclear transport of WNV and Dengue virus C protein is mediated by their direct association with importin-{alpha}. This interplay is mediated by the consensus sequences of bipartite nuclear localization signal located between amino acid residues 85-101 together with amino acid residues 42 and 43 of C protein. Elucidation of biological significance of importin-{alpha}/C protein interaction demonstrated that the binding efficiency of this association influenced the nuclear entry of C protein and virus production. Collectively, this study illustrated the molecular mechanism by which the C protein of arthropod-borne flavivirus enters the nucleus and showed the importance of importin-{alpha}/C protein interaction in the context of flavivirus life-cycle.

• OSTI ID: 22199860
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 389; ISSN 0006-291X; ISSN BBRCA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
ARTHROPODS
LIFE CYCLE
PROTEINS
SIGNALS
VIRUSES