The structure analysis and antigenicity study of the N protein of SARS-CoV.
- Author:
Jingqiang WANG
1
;
Jia JI
;
Jia YE
;
Xiaoqian ZHAO
;
Jie WEN
;
Wei LI
;
Jianfei HU
;
Dawei LI
;
Min SUN
;
Haipan ZENG
;
Yongwu HU
;
Xiangjun TIAN
;
Xuehai TAN
;
Ningzhi XU
;
Changqing ZENG
;
Jian WANG
;
Shengli BI
;
Huanming YANG
Author Information
1. Beijing Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101300, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Amino Acid Motifs;
genetics;
Amino Acid Sequence;
Antigens, Viral;
immunology;
Base Composition;
Base Sequence;
Cluster Analysis;
Computational Biology;
DNA Primers;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;
Genetic Variation;
Molecular Sequence Data;
Nucleocapsid Proteins;
genetics;
immunology;
metabolism;
Phosphorylation;
SARS Virus;
genetics;
Sequence Analysis, DNA
- From:
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics
2003;1(2):145-154
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The Coronaviridae family is characterized by a nucleocapsid that is composed of the genome RNA molecule in combination with the nucleoprotein (N protein) within a virion. The most striking physiochemical feature of the N protein of SARS-CoV is that it is a typical basic protein with a high predicted pI and high hydrophilicity, which is consistent with its function of binding to the ribophosphate backbone of the RNA molecule. The predicted high extent of phosphorylation of the N protein on multiple candidate phosphorylation sites demonstrates that it would be related to important functions, such as RNA-binding and localization to the nucleolus of host cells. Subsequent study shows that there is an SR-rich region in the N protein and this region might be involved in the protein-protein interaction. The abundant antigenic sites predicted in the N protein, as well as experimental evidence with synthesized polypeptides, indicate that the N protein is one of the major antigens of the SARS-CoV. Compared with other viral structural proteins, the low variation rate of the N protein with regards to its size suggests its importance to the survival of the virus.
