Title
Characterisation of the RNA binding properties of the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus nucleocapsid protein amino-terminal region
Author
Kelly-Anne Spencer, Julian A. Hiscox
Year
2006
Journal
FEBS Letters
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein binds viral RNA to form the ribonucleocapsid and regulate RNA synthesis. The interaction of N protein with viral RNA was investigated using circular dichroism and surface plasmon resonance. N protein underwent a conformational change upon binding viral RNA and the data indicated electrostatic interactions were involved in the binding of the protein to RNA. Kinetic analysis suggested the amino-terminal region facilitates long-range non-specific interactions between N protein and viral RNA, thus bringing the RNA into close proximity to N protein allowing specific contacts to form via a ‘lure’ and ‘lock’ mechanism.
Instrument
J-715
Keywords
Circular dichroism, Secondary structure, RNA binding, Biochemistry