Viral Capsid Change upon Encapsulation of Double-Stranded DNA into an Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus-like Particle

In this study, we aimed to encapsulate the sizable double-stranded DNA (dsDNA, 3.9 kbp) into a small-sized infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus-like particle (IHHNV-VLP; T = 1) and compared the changes in capsid structure between dsDNA-filled VLP and empty VLP. Based on our encapsulation protocol, IHHNV-VLP was able to load dsDNA at an efficiency of 30–40% (w/w) into its cavity. Structural analysis revealed two subclasses of IHHNV-VLP, so-called empty and dsDNA-filled VLPs. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the empty VLP produced in E. coli was similar to that of the empty IHHNV-VLP produced in Sf9 insect cells. The size of the dsDNA-filled VLP was slightly bigger (50 Å) than its empty VLP counterpart; however, the capsid structure was drastically altered. The capsid was about 1.5-fold thicker due to the thickening of the capsid interior, presumably from DNA–capsid interaction evident from capsid protrusions or nodules on the interior surface. In addition, the morphological changes of the capsid exterior were particularly observed in the vicinity of the five-fold axes, where the counter-clockwise twisting of the “tripod” structure at the vertex of the five-fold channel was evident, resulting in a widening of the channel’s opening. Whether these capsid changes are similar to virion capsid maturation in the host cells remains to be investigated. Nevertheless, the ability of IHHNV-VLP to encapsulate the sizable dsDNA has opened up the opportunity to package a dsDNA vector that can insert exogenous genes and target susceptible shrimp cells in order to halt viral infection

Structure and Control of the Actin Regulatory WAVE Complex

Members of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family control cytoskeletal dynamics by promoting actin filament nucleation with the Arp2/3 complex. The WASP relative WAVE regulates lamellipodia formation within a 400-kilodalton, hetero-pentameric WAVE regulatory complex (WRC). The WRC is inactive towards the Arp2/3 complex, but can be stimulated by the Rac GTPase, kinases and phosphatidylinositols. Here we report the 2.3-ngstrom crystal structure of the WRC and complementary mechanistic analyses. The structure shows that the activity-bearing VCA motif of WAVE is sequestered by a combination of intramolecular and intermolecular contacts within the WRC. Rac and kinases appear to destabilize a WRC element that is necessary for VCA sequestration, suggesting the way in which these signals stimulate WRC activity towards the Arp2/3 complex. The spatial proximity of the Rac binding site and the large basic surface of the WRC suggests how the GTPase and phospholipids could cooperatively recruit the complex to membranes

Structure and control of the actin regulatory WAVE complex

Members of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) family control cytoskeletal dynamics by promoting actin filament nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex. The WASP relative, WAVE, regulates lamellipodia formation within a 400 kDa, hetero-pentameric WAVE Regulatory Complex (WRC). The WRC is inactive toward the Arp2/3 complex, but can be stimulated by the Rac GTPase, kinases and phosphatidylinositols. We report the 2.3 Å crystal structure of the WRC and complementary mechanistic analyses. The structure shows that the activity-bearing VCA motif of WAVE is sequestered by a combination of intramolecular and intermolecular contacts within the WRC. Rac and kinases appear to destabilize a WRC element that is necessary for VCA sequestration, suggesting how these signals stimulate WRC activity toward the Arp2/3 complex. Spatial proximity of the Rac binding site and a large basic surface of the WRC suggests how the GTPase and phospholipids could cooperatively recruit the complex to membranes. Members of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) family play central roles in the control of cellular actin dynamics1-3. These proteins receive information from multiple signaling pathways and respond by promoting the actin nucleating activity of the ubiquitou

Highly conserved protective epitopes on influenza B viruses

Identification of broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza A viruses has raised hopes for the development of monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy and "universal" vaccines for influenza. However, a substantial part of the annual flu burden is caused by two cocirculating, antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B viruses. Here, we report human monoclonal antibodies, CR8033, CR8071, and CR9114, that protect mice against lethal challenge from both lineages. Antibodies CR8033 and CR8071 recognize distinct conserved epitopes in the head region of the influenza B hemagglutinin (HA), whereas CR9114 binds a conserved epitope in the HA stem and protects against lethal challenge with influenza A and B viruses. These antibodies may inform on development of monoclonal antibody-based treatments and a universal flu vaccine for all influenza A and B viruse

Structure and control of the actin regulatory WAVE complex

Members of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) family control cytoskeletal dynamics by promoting actin filament nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex. The WASP relative, WAVE, regulates lamellipodia formation within a 400 kDa, hetero-pentameric WAVE Regulatory Complex (WRC). The WRC is inactive toward the Arp2/3 complex, but can be stimulated by the Rac GTPase, kinases and phosphatidylinositols. We report the 2.3 Å crystal structure of the WRC and complementary mechanistic analyses. The structure shows that the activity-bearing VCA motif of WAVE is sequestered by a combination of intramolecular and intermolecular contacts within the WRC. Rac and kinases appear to destabilize a WRC element that is necessary for VCA sequestration, suggesting how these signals stimulate WRC activity toward the Arp2/3 complex. Spatial proximity of the Rac binding site and a large basic surface of the WRC suggests how the GTPase and phospholipids could cooperatively recruit the complex to membranes. Members of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) family play central roles in the control of cellular actin dynamics1-3. These proteins receive information from multiple signaling pathways and respond by promoting the actin nucleating activity of the ubiquitou