Negative Strand RNA Virus Nucleocapsid: Comparison
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Please note this is a comparison between Version 2 by Rita Xu and Version 1 by Ming Luo.

The nucleocapsid of negative strand RNA virus (NSV) is a linear protein-RNA complex that is the template for the viral RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase. The structure of the nucleocapsid protein from all NSVs shares a core motif that is suitable for assembling the linear nucleocapsid. The unique structure of the nucleocapsid allows it to encapsidate the viral RNA genome for virion assembly, and at the same time serve as the template for viral RNA synthesis.

  • nucleocapsid
  • negative strand RNA virus
  • 5H+3H motif
  • linear assembly
  • protein-RNA complex
  • template
  • viral RNA synthesis
  • RNA-dependen RNA polymerase
  • codon usage bias
  • gene junction

1. Definition

1. Definition

Negative strand RNA viruses (NSVs) include many important human pathogens, such as influenza virus, Ebola virus, and rabies virus. One of the unique characteristics that NSVs share is the assembly of the nucleocapsid and its role in viral RNA synthesis. In NSVs, the single strand RNA genome is encapsidated in the linear nucleocapsid throughout the viral replication cycle. Subunits of the nucleocapsid protein are parallelly aligned along the RNA genome that is sandwiched between two domains composed of conserved helix motifs. The viral RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase (vRdRp) must recognize the protein–RNA complex of the nucleocapsid and unveil the protected genomic RNA in order to initiate viral RNA synthesis. In addition, vRdRp must continuously translocate along the protein–RNA complex during elongation in viral RNA synthesis. This unique mechanism of viral RNA synthesis suggests that the nucleocapsid may play a regulatory role during NSV replication.

2. Introduction

Negative strand RN

All viruses (NSVs) include many important human pathogens, such as influenzaassemble a nucleocapsid. The capsid consists of viral proteins and encloses the nucleotide genome of the virus, Ebola virus, and ra. The word “capsid” is originated from the Latin capsa (biox). Thes virus. One of the unique characteristics that NSVs share is the assembly of the primary function of the capsid (also known as “protein coat” or “protein shell”) is to carry and protect the viral genome during transmission between cells. The term “nucleocapsid” refers to the capsid protein–nucleotide complex. For efficiency, the viral nucleocapsid and its role in viral RNA synthesis. In NSVs, the single strand RNA genome is encapsidated in the li is assembled by organization of capsid protein subunits following a geometric symmetry, including the icosahedral symmetry for spherical viruses and the helical symmetry for filamentous viruses (read Chapter 3 in Fields Virology for details) [1]. For negar tive strand RNA viruses (NSVs), the nucleocapsid throughout has a unique structure that is pertinent to its functions in the viralus replication cycle. SubunitsThis review will discuss the assembly of the NSV nucleocapsid protein are pas and the structure–function relationship.

Accorallelly aldigned along the RNA genome that is sandwiched between two domng to International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), NSVs belong to Phylum Negarnaviricota, Realm: Riboviria [2][3]. Since 2003, the s composed of conserved helix motifs. The viral RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase (vRdRp) must recogniztructure of the nucleocapsid or the capsid protein has been determined for at least 21 genera in Negarnaviricota (Table t1). The protein–RNA complex of the nucleocapsid and unveil the protected genomic RNA in order to initiate viral RNA synthesis. In addition, vRdRp must continuously translocate along the protein–RNA complex during elongation indetermined structures have confirmed a genetic relationship among members of different NSV families. Common folds of the NSV capsid proteins and principles of nucleocapsid assembly have emerged, and the functional role of the nucleocapsid in the unique NSV viral RNA synthesis. This unique mechanism of viral RNA synthesis suggests that the has also become clearer. It is because of this role that additional examination of the structure of NSV nucleocapsid may play a regulatory role during s has now become essential for further understanding of NSV replicationn and pathogenesis.

2. Introduction

All viruses assemble a nucleocapsid. The capsid consists of viral proteins and encloses the nucleotide genome of the virus. The word “capsid” is originated from the Latin capsa (box). The primary function of the capsid (also known as “protein coat” or “protein shell”) is to carry and protect the viral genome during transmission between cells. The term “nucleocapsid” refers to the capsid protein–nucleotide complex. For efficiency, the viral nucleocapsid is assembled by organization of capsid protein subunits following a geometric symmetry, including the icosahedral symmetry for spherical viruses and the helical symmetry for filamentous viruses (read Chapter 3 in Fields Virology for details) [1]. For negative strand RNA viruses (NSVs), the nucleocapsid has a unique structure that is pertinent to its functions in the virus replication cycle. This review will discuss the assembly of the NSV nucleocapsids and the structure–function relationship.
 
According to International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), NSVs belong to Phylum Negarnaviricota, Realm: Riboviria [2,3]. Since 2003, the structure of the nucleocapsid or the capsid protein has been determined for at least 21 genera in Negarnaviricota (Table 1). The determined structures have confirmed a genetic relationship among members of different NSV families. Common folds of the NSV capsid proteins and principles of nucleocapsid assembly have emerged, and the functional role of the nucleocapsid in the unique NSV viral RNA synthesis has also become clearer. It is because of this role that additional examination of the structure of NSV nucleocapsids has now become essential for further understanding of NSV replication and pathogenesis.
 
Table 1.

Reported nucleocapsid structure of members from Phylum

Negarnaviricota.
 
Family Subfamily Genus Name (PDB Code)
Subphylum:Haploviricotina;Class:Monjiviricetes;Order:Mononegavirales  
Bornaviridae   Mammalian 1 orthobornavirus Borna disease virus (BoDV) (1N93) [4]
The capsid proteins (N) of NSVs share a common fold. As shown for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in Figure 1A, the N-terminal lobe and the C-terminal lobe are connected by a single polypeptide chain [14]. The core of the capsid protein consists of five α-helices in the N-terminal lobe (5-H motif) and three α-helices in the C-terminal lobe (3-H motif) [34]. When the protein subunit is assembled into the nucleocapsid, the encapsidated RNA is situated between the two lobes. The observation of a conserved structural motif present in all nucleocapsid proteins in NSVs is analogous to that a β-barrel fold is observed in the capsid proteins of spherical viruses [35].
 
The two largest NSV orders contain the majority of known capsid protein structures are

The two largest NSV orders contain the majority of known capsid protein structures are

Mononegavirales

and

Bunyavirales

. Beyond these, there are a small number of structures from

Articulavirales

represented by the segmented

Orthomyxoviruses

. Structures from the order

Alphaflexiviridae are included in this review because of structural similarities, even though these are positive single strand RNA viruses.

are included in this review because of structural similarities, even though these are positive single strand RNA viruses.

 
The structures of

The structures of

Haploviricotina

capsid proteins from 11 members in the order

Mononegavirales were superimposed using the program Fr-TM-align [36] (Table 2). Large variance in capsid protein Size is observed in known structures with MWs ranging from 41 kDa in BoDV up to 83.3 kDa in EBOV; however, the capsid cores maintain structural homology. Similarities among these structures are essentially the same as previously observed [34,37]. It is well expected that viruses in the same family have a high structural similarity in their capsid proteins, such as VSV and RABV; RSV and hMPV; PIV5, MeV, NiV, and NDV; EBOV and MARV (Figure 1A). However, the observed similarity between NDV and MARV appears to be an exception (Table 2). The nucleocapsid structure of MARV is very close to that of EBOV. The apparent more favorable alignment for MARV could be due to that less residues are included in the structure of MARV nucleocapsid protein.

were superimposed using the program Fr-TM-align [36] (Table 2). Large variance in capsid protein Size is observed in known structures with MWs ranging from 41 kDa in BoDV up to 83.3 kDa in EBOV; however, the capsid cores maintain structural homology. Similarities among these structures are essentially the same as previously observed [34][37]. It is well expected that viruses in the same family have a high structural similarity in their capsid proteins, such as VSV and RABV; RSV and hMPV; PIV5, MeV, NiV, and NDV; EBOV and MARV (Figure 1A). However, the observed similarity between NDV and MARV appears to be an exception (Table 2). The nucleocapsid structure of MARV is very close to that of EBOV. The apparent more favorable alignment for MARV could be due to that less residues are included in the structure of MARV nucleocapsid protein.

 
Table 2.

Structural Comparison of

Mononegavirales Nucleocapsids.

Nucleocapsids.

  RABV RSV hMPV PIV5 MeV NiV NDV EBOV MARV BoDV
VSV 2.63/96 * 5.07/79 5.17/81 5.34/78 5.30/79 4.73/83 5.20/75 5.18/82 4.20/85 5.09/78
RABV   5.01/76 4.93/78 5.04/73
5.53/83
MARV
 
                5.47/84
For

For

Polyploviricotina

NSVs, homology is only present among members in the same family (Table 3 and Table 4). However, the fold of the capsid proteins shares some common features with those from members in

Mononegavirales. The most apparent similarity is that the encapsidated genomic RNA is also sandwiched between the N- and C-terminal lobes (Figure 1B).

. The most apparent similarity is that the encapsidated genomic RNA is also sandwiched between the N- and C-terminal lobes (Figure 1B).

 
Table 3.

Structural Comparison of

Bunyavirales Nucleocapsids.

Nucleocapsids.

  LACV LEAV SBV TSWV TOSV SFTSV
BUNV 2.11/98 1.87/100 2.07/100 3.68/87 - -
Filoviridae   Ebolavirus Ebola virus (EBOV)
TOSV
          2.65/94
Table 4. Structural Comparison of Other Nucleocapsids.

Structural Comparison of Other Nucleocapsids.

  HTNV HAZV KUPV ERVEV IFBV IFDV ISAV PepMV
ANDV 1.94/95 - - - - - - -
LACV   2.07/945.06/76 4.27/81 2.09/93 3.64/85 -5.11/73 4.38/78 5.01/82 5.03/75
-
CCHFV   1.77/100 † 1.90/99 1.56/91 - - - - (4Z9P) [5]
RSV     1.40/100 4.35/91 4.35/91 4.90/93 4.36/91 LEAV     1.66/99 3.96/89 - -
HAZV4.39/87 4.85/86 4.83/80
    1.56/97 1.32/89 - - - - Marburgvirus Marburg virus (MARV) (5F5M) [6]
hMPV       4.10/94 4.20/94 4.79/92 4.24/94 4.48/89 4.11/90 4.36/78
SBV       3.52/88 - -
KUPV       1.27/87 - - - - Paramyxoviridae Avulaviridae Avian orthoavulavirus 1 PIV5  Newcastle disease virus (NDV) (6JC3) [7]
      2.47/97 3.59/100 1.82/98 4.87/89 3.77/94 4.51/83
RVFV         1.88/91 1.83/90
IFAV         Orthoparamyxovirdae Henipavirus Nipah virus (NiV) MeV  (4CO6)  [8]
      3.26/97 2.32/98 4.43/87 3.97/94 4.41/81
2.29/95 3.21/94 3.49/84 -           3.02/93 3.36/78 Morbillivirus Measles virus (MeV) NiV  (4UFT) [9]
          3.38/99 4.12/92 3.62/91 5.19/80 Rubulaviridae Orrthorubulavirus parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) (4XJN) [10]
- NDV      
IFBV         4.79/89 3.92/96 4.76/84 Pneumoviridae   Metapneumovirus
EBOV    Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (5FVC) [11]
          Orthopneumovirus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (2WJ8) [12]
  Rhabdoviridae   Lyssavirus Rabies virus (RABV) (2GTT) [13]
Vesiculovirus Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (2GIC) [14]
Subphylum:Polyploviricotina;Class:Ellioviricetes;Order:Bunyavirales  
Arenaviridae   Mammarenavirus Lassa Virus (LASV) (3T5Q) [15]
Hantaviridae Mammantaviridae Orthohantavirus Andes virus (ANDV) (5E04) [16]
Hantaan virus (HTNV) (6I2N) [17]
1.87/99 Nairoviridae  
IFDV             3.58/76 -
PapMV              Orthonairovirus Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) (4AKL) [18]
2.06/93 Hazara virus (HAZV) (4XZE) [19]
Kupe virus (KUPV) (4XZC) [19]
Erve virus (ERVEV) (4XZ8) [19]
Peribunyaviridae   Orthobunyavirus Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) (4IJS) [20]
La Crosse virus (LACV) (4BHH) [21]
Leanyer orthobunyavirus (LEAV) (4J1G) [22]
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) (4JNG) [23]
Phenuiviridae   Phlebovirus Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) (4H5P) [24]
Toscana virus (TOSV) (4CSF) [25]
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) 4J4R) [26]
Tospoviridae   Orthotospovirus Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) (5IP3)
Further examination reveals that the 5-H and 3-H motifs share the same topology, but the orientations of the helices are often different. For members in

Further examination reveals that the 5-H and 3-H motifs share the same topology, but the orientations of the helices are often different. For members in

Peribunyaviridae

and

Tospoviridae

, the N-terminal lobe contains the same 5-helices and may be superimposed with that from members in

Mononegavirales

(Table 5). For the C-terminal lobe, on the other hand, the first two helices in the 3-H motif could be superimposed with those from members in

Mononegavirales

while the third α-helix takes a reverse orientation. For

Bunvaviridae

members in

Phenuiviridae, Nairoviridae,

and

Hantaviridae

, the helices in the N-terminal 5-H motif have large differences in their orientation despite the same topology. Their N-terminal lobes could not be superimposed with those from members in

Mononegavirales

. The same situation is found in the C-terminal 3-H motif. However, the fold in the C-terminal lobe from members in

Nairoviridae

and

Hantaviridae

is homologous to that from members in

Peribunyavirida, except for the orientation of the last α-helix (Table 5).

, except for the orientation of the last α-helix (Table 5).

 
Table 5. Structural Comparison of Representative Nucleocapsid Lobes.

Structural Comparison of Representative Nucleocapsid Lobes.

  VSV-N ≠ CCHFV-N HTNV-C
BUNV-N 4.77/82 3.77/82  
BUNV-C     2.88/87
PepMV-N 3.28/61    
[
27
]
Subphylum:
Polyploviricotina
;
Class:
Insthoviricetes
;
Order:
Articulavirales
 
Orthomyxoviridae
 
Alphainfluenzavirus
Influenza A virus (IFAV)
(2IQH)
[28]
Betainfluenzavirus Influenza B virus (IFBV) (3TJ0) [29]
Deltainfluenzavirus Influenza D virus (IFDV) (5N2U) [30]
Isavirus Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) (4EWC) [31]
Class:Tymovirales *;Order:Alphaflexiviridae  
  Potexvirus Papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) (4DOX) [32]
Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) (5FN1) [33]

3. The Capsid Protein Fold

The Phylum

The Phylum

Negarnaviricota

has been divided into two Subphyla;

Haploviricotina

and

Polyploviricotina. The distinction between the two Subphyla is the nonsegmented or segmented nature of the viral genome. The NSVs are then further classified phylogenetically ultimately yielding a separation by virion morphology. Although these viruses can differ greatly in their global structures, structural and functional similarities are observed when comparing their capsid proteins.

The distinction between the two Subphyla is the nonsegmented or segmented nature of the viral genome. The NSVs are then further classified phylogenetically ultimately yielding a separation by virion morphology. Although these viruses can differ greatly in their global structures, structural and functional similarities are observed when comparing their capsid proteins.

 

The capsid proteins (N) of NSVs share a common fold. As shown for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in Figure 1A, the N-terminal lobe and the C-terminal lobe are connected by a single polypeptide chain [14]. The core of the capsid protein consists of five α-helices in the N-terminal lobe (5-H motif) and three α-helices in the C-terminal lobe (3-H motif) [34]. When the protein subunit is assembled into the nucleocapsid, the encapsidated RNA is situated between the two lobes. The observation of a conserved structural motif present in all nucleocapsid proteins in NSVs is analogous to that a β-barrel fold is observed in the capsid proteins of spherical viruses [35].

Viruses 12 00835 g001 550

Figure 1. (A) A ribbon drawing of VSV nucleocapsid protein (VSVN) in complex with 9 nucleotides (sticks) encapsidated. The 5H in the N-lobe is colored green, and 3H in the C-lobe is colored yellow. Termini are labeled as N and C, respectively. The linker between the two lobes is colored red. The same ribbon drawing without RNA is shown to the right. Ribbons drawings in this and the following figures are prepared with PyMol [40]. A cartoon is drawn to illustrate the 5H+3H motif. Ten other related N structures in Table 2 are also shown using the same color scheme. (B) Eleven N structures in Polyploviricotina are shown, with those from BUNV (BUNVN), RVFV (RVFVN), and HTNV (HTNVN) in complex with encapsidated nucleotides (sticks). The N-domain in the N core is colored green and the C-domain in the N core is colored yellow. Structures of closely relayed N proteins according to Table 3 and Table 5 are grouped together. The structure from CCHFV (CCHFVN) is colored rainbow from the N-terminus (blue) to the C-terminus (red) because no clear N- and C-domains could be identified. (C) Two structures from the +ss RNA viruses are shown, with that from PepMV (PepMVN) in complex with encapsidated RNA. The color scheme is the same as in (B).

Finally, the size of the RNA cleft in a N subunit may vary widely in these viruses. The C-terminal lobe from members in

Finally, the size of the RNA cleft in a N subunit may vary widely in these viruses. The C-terminal lobe from members in

Bunyavirales

has much less separation from the N-terminal lobe so that the cleft between the two lobes is much narrower than that from members in

Mononegavirales. This narrowing of the RNA cleft results in a very shallow pocket in which the RNA resides in a fissure rather than within a deep cavitation [21]. Differences in these structural features may allow more a flexibility in supramolecular nucleocapsid morphology to package the segmented genomes that are incorporated stochastically during virion assembly [38,39].

. This narrowing of the RNA cleft results in a very shallow pocket in which the RNA resides in a fissure rather than within a deep cavitation [21]. Differences in these structural features may allow more a flexibility in supramolecular nucleocapsid morphology to package the segmented genomes that are incorporated stochastically during virion assembly [38][39].

 
For members in

For members in

Orthomyxoviridae, direct structural comparison of the nucleocapsid proteins with other families is not informative; two terminal lobes are visible, but the division is not completely clear because no information of RNA encapsidation is available [28].

, direct structural comparison of the nucleocapsid proteins with other families is not informative; two terminal lobes are visible, but the division is not completely clear because no information of RNA encapsidation is available [28].

 
In addition to NSVs, the structure of nucleocapsid proteins from members in

In addition to NSVs, the structure of nucleocapsid proteins from members in

Alphaflexiviridae is included in the comparison even though they are positive single strand RNA viruses [32,33]. They contain similar N- and C-terminal lobes that encapsidate the genomic nucleotide between them (Figure 1C). Some of the bases in the RNA strand are stacked and face the exterior of the nucleocapsid, whereas some face the interior. The N-terminal domain of their N proteins is homologous to that of NSV N proteins (Table 5). This suggests that the strategy to assemble a linear nucleocapsid is common in both negative and positive single strand RNA viruses, and the same structural features in the capsid protein are essential for the encapsidation of the linear nucleotide in the nucleocapsid.
Viruses 12 00835 g001 550
Figure 1. (A) A ribbon drawing of VSV nucleocapsid protein (VSVN) in complex with 9 nucleotides (sticks) encapsidated. The 5H in the N-lobe is colored green, and 3H in the C-lobe is colored yellow. Termini are labeled as N and C, respectively. The linker between the two lobes is colored red. The same ribbon drawing without RNA is shown to the right. Ribbons drawings in this and the following figures are prepared with PyMol [40]. A cartoon is drawn to illustrate the 5H+3H motif. Ten other related N structures in Table 2 are also shown using the same color scheme. (B) Eleven N structures in Polyploviricotina are shown, with those from BUNV (BUNVN), RVFV (RVFVN), and HTNV (HTNVN) in complex with encapsidated nucleotides (sticks). The N-domain in the N core is colored green and the C-domain in the N core is colored yellow. Structures of closely relayed N proteins according to Table 3 and Table 5 are grouped together. The structure from CCHFV (CCHFVN) is colored rainbow from the N-terminus (blue) to the C-terminus (red) because no clear N- and C-domains could be identified. (C) Two structures from the +ss RNA viruses are shown, with that from PepMV (PepMVN) in complex with encapsidated RNA. The color scheme is the same as in (B).
 
To read more, please see reference below

is included in the comparison even though they are positive single strand RNA viruses [32][133]

.
 

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. They contain similar N- and C-terminal lobes that encapsidate the genomic nucleotide between them (Figure 1C). Some of the bases in the RNA strand are stacked and face the exterior of the nucleocapsid, whereas some face the interior. The N-terminal domain of their N proteins is homologous to that of NSV N proteins (Table 5). This suggests that the strategy to assemble a linear nucleocapsid is common in both negative and positive single strand RNA viruses, and the same structural features in the capsid protein are essential for the encapsidation of the linear nucleotide in the nucleocapsid.

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