A5027379431- Hepatitis C virus research
- MicroRNA in disease regulation
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- RNA Research and Splicing
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
2021-2025
Abstract Flaviviruses use a ~70 nucleotide stem-loop structure called A (SLA) at the 5′ end of RNA genome as promoter for synthesis. Flaviviral polymerase NS5 specifically recognizes SLA to initiate synthesis and methylate guanosine cap. We report crystal structures dengue (DENV) Zika virus (ZIKV) SLAs. DENV ZIKV SLAs differ in relative orientations their top helices bottom stems, but both form an intermolecular three-way junction with neighboring molecule. To understand how engages SLA, we...
The self-assembly of bacteriophage capsids from major capsid proteins (MCPs) and scaffolding (SPs) the subsequent expansion these are essential steps in life cycles. However, mechanism by which assembly occurs remains poorly understood, few intermediate states available to illuminate meta-stable procapsids into robust mature capsids. Here, we present structure a partially expanded phi29 procapsid that reveals distinct conformations MCPs allows visualization SPs multiple oligomeric states....
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires two cellular factors, microRNA-122 (miR-122) and poly(C) binding protein 2 (PCBP2), for optimal replication. These host factors compete to the 5' end of single-stranded RNA genome regulate viral replication cycle. To understand how they interact with RNA, we measured affinities both an probe representing 45 nucleotides HCV (HCV45). Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed two, unequal miR-122 sites in HCV45, high-affinity (S1) low-affinity (S2), differing...