RUI: Studies on the Pentamerization of SV40 VPL In Vitro

对病毒衣壳蛋白自组装的研究已经成为分子间相互作用的模型系统。猴病毒40(SV40)的主要衣壳蛋白是在感染细胞的细胞质中合成的，合成后不久被运送到细胞核进行病毒组装。这种蛋白质形成了SV40衣壳的五聚体。VP1五聚体在感染细胞的细胞质和体外均可检测到。VP1胶囊形成过程中涉及的相互作用的性质以及涉及的残基尚不清楚。胞质VP1五聚体的形成不仅是SV40组装的初始阶段，而且可能在VP1核的有效转运中发挥作用。在这里，我们建议研究VP1多聚体在体外形成的化学性质和涉及的氨基酸残基。拟议中的实验结果将在稍后用于研究五聚体形成在VP1向原子核运输中的作用。由于其基因结构相对简单，猴病毒40已被用作研究病毒组装、结构和功能的模型系统。病毒在宿主细胞的细胞核中组装，因此它也是研究核定位和核定位信号的理想模型系统。这个项目将利用SV40的这些特性来增加我们对病毒组装和核质运输的理解。此外，该项目将为本科生参与生物学研究提供机会和工具。

Studies on the self assembly of viral capsid proteins have served as a model system for intermolecular interactions. The major capsid protein of simian virus 40 (SV40) is synthesized in the cytoplasm of infected cells and is transported to the nucleus shortly after synthesis for viral assembly. The protein forms the pentameric capsomeres of the SV40 capsid. Vp1 pentamers are detectable both in the cytoplasm of infected cells and in vitro. The nature of the interactions involved in Vp1 capsomere formation, as well as the residues involved, are not known. Cytoplasmic Vp1 pentamer formation is not only the initial stage of SV40 assembly, but may also have a role in the efficient nuclear transport of Vp1. Here, we propose to examine the chemical nature and the amino acid residues involved in Vp1 multimer formation in vitro. Results from the proposed experiments will later be used to study the role of pentamer formation in the transport of Vp1 to the nucleus. %%% Due to the relative simplicity of its gene structure, simian virus 40 has been used as a model system for studies of virus assembly, structure, and function. The virus assembles in the nucleus of the host cell, and thus it is also an ideal model system for study of nuclear localization and nuclear localization signals. This project will take advantage of these features of SV40 to increase our understanding of viral assembly and nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity and a vehicle for undergraduate student involvement in biological research.