Hallmarks of icosahedral virus capsids emerged during laboratory evolution of a bacterial enzyme

Audrey Olshefsky; Neil P King

doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2021.08.001

Hallmarks of icosahedral virus capsids emerged during laboratory evolution of a bacterial enzyme

Trends Biochem Sci. 2021 Nov;46(11):863-865. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.08.001. Epub 2021 Aug 26.

Authors

Audrey Olshefsky¹, Neil P King²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
² Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: neil@ipd.uw.edu.

Abstract

Viruses are fascinating molecular machines that inspire many therapeutic design efforts. Tetter, Terasaka, Steinauer et al. recently reported the laboratory evolution of a synthetic nucleocapsid from a bacterial enzyme. Their work sheds light on the potential origin of viruses and points the way to improved nanotechnology platforms.

Keywords: capsid; evolution; nanotechnology; virus.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Capsid Proteins
Capsid*
Nanotechnology
Virion
Viruses*

Substances

Capsid Proteins

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding