CryoEM structure and assembly mechanism of a bacterial virus genome gatekeeper

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34999-8

Authors: Igor Orlov (IGBMC, Université de Strasbourg) , Stéphane Roche (Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS) , Sandrine Brasilès (Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS) , Natalya Lukoyanova (Birkbeck, University of London) , Marie-Christine Vaney (Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3569) , Paulo Tavares (Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS) , Elena V. Orlova (Birkbeck, University of London)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Communications , VOL 13

State: Published (Approved)
Published: November 2022
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 14704

Abstract: Numerous viruses package their dsDNA genome into preformed capsids through a portal gatekeeper that is subsequently closed. We report the structure of the DNA gatekeeper complex of bacteriophage SPP1 (gp612gp1512gp166) in the post-DNA packaging state at 2.7 Å resolution obtained by single particle cryo-electron microscopy. Comparison of the native SPP1 complex with assembly-naïve structures of individual components uncovered the complex program of conformational changes leading to its assembly. After DNA packaging, gp15 binds via its C-terminus to the gp6 oligomer positioning gp15 subunits for oligomerization. Gp15 refolds its inner loops creating an intersubunit β-barrel that establishes different types of contacts with six gp16 subunits. Gp16 binding and oligomerization is accompanied by folding of helices that close the portal channel to keep the viral genome inside the capsid. This mechanism of assembly has broad functional and evolutionary implications for viruses of the prokaryotic tailed viruses-herpesviruses lineage.

Journal Keywords: Bacteriophages; Electron microscopy; Phage biology; Viral proteins

Diamond Keywords: Viruses; Bacteriophages

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials

Diamond Offline Facilities: Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC)
Instruments: Krios I-Titan Krios I at Diamond

Added On: 30/11/2022 09:13

Documents:
s41467-022-34999-8.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Structural biology Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Microscopy Electron Microscopy (EM) Cryo Electron Microscopy (Cryo EM)