The Ebola virus ribonucleoprotein complex: a novel VP30-L interaction identified

Virus Res. 2009 Mar;140(1-2):8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.10.017. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

Abstract

The ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of Ebola virus (EBOV) is known to be a multiprotein/RNA structure, however, knowledge is rather limited regarding the actual protein-protein interactions involved in its formation. Here we show that singularly expressed VP35 and VP30 are present throughout the cytoplasm, while NP forms prominent cytoplasmic inclusions and L forms smaller perinuclear inclusions. We could demonstrate the existence of NP-VP35, NP-VP30 and VP35-L interactions, similar to those described for Marburg virus (MARV) based on the redistribution of protein partners into NP and L inclusion bodies. Significantly, a novel VP30-L interaction was also identified and found to form as part of an NP-VP30-L bridge structure, similar to that formed by VP35. The identification of these interactions allows a preliminary model of the EBOV RNP complex structure to be proposed, and may provide insight into filovirus transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Ebolavirus / genetics*
  • Ebolavirus / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Nucleoproteins / genetics
  • Nucleoproteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Core Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Core Proteins / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Nucleoproteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • VP30 protein, ebola virus
  • Viral Core Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • nucleoprotein VP35, Ebola virus