The I22V and L72S substitutions in West Nile virus prM protein promote enhanced prM/E heterodimerisation and nucleocapsid incorporation.

ABSTRACT: Amino acid substitutions I22V and L72S in the prM protein of West Nile virus Kunjin strain (WNVKUN) were previously shown to enhance virus secretion and virulence, but a mechanism by which this occurred was not determined.Using pulse-chase experiments followed by co-immunoprecipitation with anti-E antibody, we demonstrated that the I22V and L72S substitutions enhanced prM/E heterodimerization for both the E-glycosylated and E-unglycosylated virus. Furthermore, analysis of secreted particles revealed that I22V and L72S substitutions also enhanced nucleocapsid incorporation.We have demonstrated mechanistically that improved secretion of virus particles in the presence of I22V and L72S substitutions was contributed by more efficient prM/E heterodimerization.

SUBMITTER: Setoh YX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4424586 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature