The amazing HK97 fold: versatile results of modest differences

Publication date: June 2019Source: Current Opinion in Virology, Volume 36Author(s): Robert L Duda, Carolyn M TeschkedsDNA Bacteriophages, some dsDNA archaeal viruses and the Herpesviruses share many features including a common capsid assembly pathway and coat protein fold. The coat proteins of these viruses, which have the HK97 fold, co-assemble with a free or attached scaffolding protein and other capsid proteins into a precursor capsid, known as a procapsid or prohead. The procapsid is a metastable state that increases in stability as a result of morphological changes that occur during the dsDNA packaging reaction. We review evidence from several systems indicating that proper contacts acquired in the assembly of the procapsid are critical to forming the correct morphology in the mature capsid.Graphical abstract

Source: Current Opinion in Virology - March 10, 2019 Category: Virology Source Type: research