Noroviral P particle: structure, function and applications in virus-host interaction

Virology. 2008 Dec 5;382(1):115-23. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.08.047. Epub 2008 Oct 16.

Abstract

Noroviruses are an important cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis and the viruses recognize human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as receptors. The protruding (P) domain of noroviral capsid, the receptor-binding domain, forms subviral particles in vitro that retain the receptor-binding function. In this study we characterized the structure and HBGA-binding function of the P particle. Structure reconstruction using cryo-EM showed that the P particles are comprised of 12 P dimers that are organized in octahedral symmetry. The dimeric packing of the proteins in the P particles is similar to that in the norovirus capsid, in which the P2 subdomain with the receptor-binding interface is located at the outermost surface of the P particle. The P particles are immunogenic and reveal similar antigenic and HBGA-binding profiles with their parental virus-like particle, further confirming the shared surface structures between the two types of particles. The P particles are easily produced in E. coli and yeast and are stable, which are potentially useful for a broad application including vaccine development against noroviruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology
  • Capsid Proteins / metabolism*
  • Capsid Proteins / ultrastructure*
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Dimerization
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Macromolecular Substances / immunology
  • Macromolecular Substances / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Norovirus / ultrastructure*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces / genetics
  • Virosomes / immunology
  • Virosomes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Virosomes