Packaging Signals in Two Single-Stranded RNA Viruses Imply a Conserved Assembly Mechanism and Geometry of the Packaged Genome

摘要: The current paradigm for assembly of single-stranded RNA viruses is based on a mechanism involving non-sequence-specific packaging genomic driven by electrostatic interactions. Recent experiments, however, provide compelling evidence sequence specificity in this process both vitro and vivo. existence multiple signals (PSs) within viral genomes has been proposed, which facilitates binding coat proteins such way that they promote the protein–protein contacts needed to build capsid. energy from these interactions enables confinement or compaction RNAs. Identifying nature PSs crucial full understanding assembly, an as yet untapped potential drug target important class pathogens. Here, two related bacterial viruses, we determine sequences locations their using Hamiltonian paths, concept graph theory, combination with bioinformatics structural studies. Their have common secondary structure motif but distinct consensus positions respective genomes. Despite differences, distributions imply defined conformations packaged contact protein shell capsid, consistent recent asymmetric determination MS2 virion. PS identified moreover preferred, evolutionarily conserved pathway respect potentially profound implications other known PSs, including many animal human