Mechanical Capsid Maturation Facilitates the Resolution of Conflicting Requirements for Herpesvirus Assembly
Alex Evilevitch, Udom Sae-Ueng
Abstract
The minor capsid protein UL25 plays a critical role in the mechanical maturation of the HSV-1 capsid during virus assembly and is required for stable DNA packaging. We modulated the UL25 capsid interactions by genetically deleting different UL25 regions and quantifying the effect on mechanical capsid stability using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation approach. This approach revealed how UL25 regions reinforced the herpesvirus capsid to stably package and retain pressurized DNA. Our data suggest a mechanism of stepwise binding of two main UL25 domains timed with DNA packaging.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyCapsidCell biologyComputational biologyVirologyResolution (logic)VirusGeneticsComputer scienceArtificial intelligenceHerpesvirus Infections and TreatmentsCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus researchViral Infections and Immunology Research