Tegument Protein pp150 Sequence-Specific Peptide Blocks Cytomegalovirus Infection.

ABSTRACT: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) tegument protein pp150 is essential for the completion of the final steps in virion maturation. Earlier studies indicated that three pp150nt (N-terminal one-third of pp150) conformers cluster on each triplex (Tri1, Tri2A and Tri2B), and extend towards small capsid proteins atop nearby major capsid proteins, forming a net-like layer of tegument densities that enmesh and stabilize HCMV capsids. Based on this atomic detail, we designed several peptides targeting pp150nt. Our data show significant reduction in virus growth upon treatment with one of these peptides (pep-CR2) with an IC50 of 1.33 μM and no significant impact on cell viability. Based on 3D modeling, pep-CR2 specifically interferes with the pp150-capsid binding interface. Cells pre-treated with pep-CR2

SUBMITTER: Mitra D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8623180 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature