Packaging signals in single-stranded RNA viruses: nature’s alternative to a purely electrostatic assembly mechanism

• DOI: 10.1007/s10867-013-9313-0
• Publication Date: 2013-04-11T02:27:16Z
• Authors: Peter G. Stockley; Reidun Twarock; Saskia E. Bakker; Amy M. Barker; Alexander Borodavka; Eric Dykeman; Robert J. Ford; Arwen R. Pearson; Simon E. V. Phillips; Neil A. Ranson; Roman Tuma
• Keywords: Nanobiotechnology

The formation of a protective protein container is an essential step in the life-cycle most viruses. In case single-stranded (ss)RNA viruses, this occurs parallel with genome packaging co-assembly process. Previously, it had been thought that process can be explained entirely by electrostatics. Inspired recent single-molecule fluorescence experiments recapitulate RNA specificity seen vivo for two model we present alternative theory, which recognizes important cooperative roles played RNA–coat interactions, at sites have termed signals. hypothesis multiple copies signals, repeated according to capsid symmetry, aid required conformers defined positions, resulting significantly enhanced assembly efficiency. precise mechanistic signal interactions may vary between as demonstrated MS2 and STNV. We quantify impact signals on efficiency using dodecahedral system, showing heterogeneous affinity distributions out-compete those homogeneous affinities. These insights pave way new anti-viral therapy, reducing targeting vital opens up avenues efficient construction nanocontainers bionanotechnology.