Structural Studies of Crenarcheal Viruses

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。泉古菌病毒如SSV 1和STIV栖息在极端高温和酸性环境（T 80 oC; 4.0 pH 1.0）中，如黄石国家公园中发现的那些。SSV 1和STIV是这些病毒中最具特征的，因此作为研究的重要模型系统。对SSV 1和STIV基因组以及来自极端热环境的其他病毒的基因组的序列分析无法表明大多数编码蛋白的功能。拟议的研究重点是利用结构生物学来研究SSV和STIV蛋白质组的功能作用，以及宿主生物体Sulfolobus solfataricus的相互作用。将使用晶体学和NMR技术确定功能未知的病毒和宿主蛋白质的结构。在许多情况下，这些研究有望揭示已知功能的蛋白质的结构相似性，或以其他方式提出与蒙大拿州立大学的Mark Young博士合作的功能，可以使用生物化学和遗传实验进行测试。总之，这些研究将有助于增加对SSV和STIV生命周期的理解，以及这些病毒与其crenarchaeal宿主之间的分子相互作用。更广泛的影响：MSU热生物学研究所（TBI）正在进行的大部分工作，包括极端嗜热病毒的表征，正在通过外展计划向公众传达。目标群体包括K-12、部落学院和其他本科院校。此外，TBI与国家公园服务处/黄石国家公园合作，在公园内向公众宣传。拟议的研究与PI，Co-PI，部门，大学和NSF的教育目标紧密结合。高中，本科，博士和博士后水平的学生将接受生物化学，结构生物学和热生物学方面的重要培训。积极鼓励代表性不足的群体，特别是妇女和美洲原住民的参与。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Crenarchaeal viruses such as SSV1 and STIV inhabit extreme thermal and acidic environments (T 80oC; 4.0 pH 1.0) such as those found in Yellowstone National Park. SSV1 and STIV are among the best characterized of these viruses, and thus serve as important model systems for study. Sequence analyses of the SSV1 and STIV genomes, and those of other viruses from extreme thermal environments, are unable to suggest functions for most of the encoded proteins. The proposed research focuses on the use of structural biology to investigate the functional roles of the SSV and STIV proteomes, and on interactions in host organism Sulfolobus solfataricus. Structures of viral and host proteins of unknown function will be determined using crystallographic and NMR techniques. In many cases, these studies are expected to reveal structural similarity to proteins of known function, or to otherwise suggest functions that in collaboration with Dr. Mark Young, Montana State University, can be tested using biochemical and genetic experiments. Together, these studies will contribute to an increased understanding of the SSV and STIV life cycles, and the molecular interplay between these viruses and their crenarchaeal hosts. Broader Impact: Much of the ongoing work within the MSU Thermal Biology Institute (TBI) including the characterization of hyperthermophilic viruses is being communicated to the general public through outreach programs. Target groups include K-12, tribal colleges, and other undergraduate institutions. In addition, TBI partners with the National Park Service /Yellowstone National Park in outreach to the general public within the Park. There is strong integration of the proposed research with the educational goals of the PI, Co-PI, the Department, the University, and the NSF. Students at the high school, undergraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral levels will receive significant training in biochemistry, structural biology and thermal biology. The involvement of under represented groups, particularly women and Native Americans, is actively encouraged.