Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of Rift Valley fever virus

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70 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV; Bunyaviridae; Phlebovirus) is an emerging human and veterinary pathogen causing acute hepatitis in ruminants and has the potential to cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. We report a three-dimensional reconstruction of RVFV vaccine strain MP-12 (RVFV MP-12) by cryo-electron microcopy using icosahedral symmetry of individual virions. Although the genomic core of RVFV MP-12 is apparently poorly ordered, the glycoproteins on the virus surface are highly symmetric and arranged on a T = 12 icosahedral lattice. Our RVFV MP-12 structure allowed clear identification of inter-capsomer contacts and definition of possible glycoprotein arrangements within capsomers. This structure provides a detailed model for phleboviruses, opens new avenues for high-resolution structural studies of the bunyavirus family, and aids the design of antiviral diagnostics and effective subunit vaccines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-15
Number of pages5
JournalVirology
Volume387
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 25 2009

Keywords

  • Bunyaviridae
  • Cryo-electron microscopy
  • Inter-capsomer contacts
  • Rift Valley fever virus
  • Single-particle averaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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