Biochemical Implications of the Transfer of a Structural Gene between DNA and RNA Viruses.

最近发现的十字病毒似乎是通过意想不到的DNA和RNA病毒之间的基因交换而进化而来的病毒。该项目将通过检测RNA病毒外壳蛋白如何封装DNA来研究这种基因交换。该项目将为年轻科学家，特别是那些来自代表性不足群体的科学家提供一个职业发展平台。此外，该项目的成果将纳入向公众的宣传。这项研究将阐明病毒的起源和病毒如何进化，并对纳米技术产生潜在影响。本项目将重点研究十字病毒和相关RNA病毒的衣壳特征，使用标准分子技术和电子显微镜检测DNA和RNA的衣壳化差异。虽然交叉病毒和密切相关的RNA病毒的衣壳可能具有包装DNA和RNA的能力，但进一步的适应可能已经发生，以优化一种核酸类型的包装而不是另一种。对十字型病毒衣壳生化特性的研究将拓展我们对病毒衣壳的表型可塑性的认识，揭示DNA与RNA可能的包装决定因素，并为十字型病毒的进化史提供洞见。此外，该研究将为阐明神秘的十字病毒宿主提供原理证明数据。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The recently-discovered Cruciviruses are viruses that appear to have evolved by unexpected gene swapping between DNA and RNA viruses. This project will investigate this gene swapping by examining how a RNA virus coat protein can encapsidate DNA instead. The project will provide a platform for career development for young scientists, in particular those from underrepresented groups. Furthermore, results from this project will be integrated into outreach to the general public. This research will shed light onto virus origins and how viruses evolve and has potential impacts for nanotechnology.This project will focus on the characterization of capsids of cruciviruses and related RNA viruses, using standard molecular techniques and electron microscopy to detect differences in encapsidation of DNA versus RNA. While the capsid of cruciviruses and closely related RNA viruses could have the ability to package both DNA and RNA, further adaptations may have occurred to optimize the packaging of one nucleic acid type versus the other. The study of the biochemical properties of the capsid of cruciviruses will expand our knowledge on the phenotypic plasticity of virus encapsidation, reveal possible packaging determinants for DNA versus RNA, and provide insight into the evolutionary history of cruciviruses. Moreover, this research will provide proof-of-principle data for the elucidation of the enigmatic crucivirus host.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.