Extreme Virus Morphology: The Structure and Assembly of SSV1, the Prototypical Fusellovirus

古生代的许多病毒都有纺锤形或柠檬状，这与其他病毒有很大的不同。这种独特的病毒形态可能有助于这些病毒在它们茁壮成长的极端环境中保持稳定。然而，人们对纺锤形病毒的结构和组装知之甚少。这个项目将研究Sulfolobus纺锤形病毒1(SSV1)的结构和组装，SSV1是这些所谓的纺锤状病毒中最著名的。SSV1在极热(80℃或176℃)和酸性(pH=3)条件下复制。这项研究将使用波特兰州立大学极端环境生命中心(CLEE)首创的尖端遗传和生化工具，以及与德克萨斯州加尔维斯顿大学医学部(UTMB)合作的最先进的冷冻电子显微镜工具。该项目的主要目标是确定整个病毒的结构，确定体内主要外壳蛋白的产生位置和动力学，并在体外鉴定主要外壳蛋白。了解SSV1的结构和在体内和体外的主要外壳蛋白的特征不仅有助于了解蛋白质在极端环境中的稳定性和大分子的组装，而且有助于病毒的进化。这项工作对纳米技术的发展也有影响。更广泛的影响：将在新空间改进的实验室课程教学中进行初步研究。研究成果将被纳入本科课程，每年至少有100名学生参加。该项目将直接支持巴黎州立大学Clee和UTMB的博士后、研究生、本科生和高中生。许多巴黎州立大学的学生是第一代大学生和代表不足的少数民族。这些学生将与路易斯·斯托克斯少数族裔伙伴关系联盟和麦克奈尔奖学金项目合作，直接参与研究。该项目还将为巴黎州立大学的学生提供使用UTMB独特设施的机会。

Many viruses of Archaea have a spindle or lemon-like shape, which is very different from other viruses. This unique virus shape may help these viruses remain stable in the extreme environments in which they thrive. However, very little is known about the structure and assembly of spindle-shaped viruses. This project will study the structure and assembly of Sulfolobus Spindle Shaped Virus 1 (SSV1), the best-known of these so-called fuselloviruses. SSV1 replicates in extremely hot (80˚C or 176˚F) and acidic (pH = 3) conditions. The research will use cutting-edge genetic and biochemical tools pioneered in the Center for Life in Extreme Environments (CLEE) at Portland State University (PSU) and state-of-the art cryo-electron microscopy tools in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston Texas (UTMB). The major aims of the project are to determine the structure of the whole virus to ≤ 10 Å resolution, determine the location and kinetics of production of the major coat protein in vivo and characterize the major coat protein in vitro. Understanding the structure of SSV1 and characterizing the major coat protein in vivo and in vitro will provide insights not only into protein stability and assembly of macromolecules in extreme environments, but also virus evolution. The work also has implications for the development of nanotechnology. Broader Impacts: Primary research will be performed in revamped teaching laboratory courses in new space. Research results will be incorporated in undergraduate lectures to at least 100 students/year. This project will directly support postdoctoral, graduate, undergraduate and high school students in CLEE at PSU and at UTMB. Many PSU students are first generation college students and underrepresented minorities. These students will be directly involved in the research in collaboration with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Partnerships and McNair scholarship programs. The project will also provide access for PSU students to the unique facilities at UTMB.