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The nucleocapsid (N) protein is a protein that packages the positive-sense RNA genome of coronaviruses to form ribonucleoprotein structures enclosed within the viral capsid. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The N protein is the most highly expressed of the four major coronavirus structural proteins . [ 2 ]
Inside the envelope, there is the nucleocapsid, which is formed from multiple copies of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, which are bound to the positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome in a continuous beads-on-a-string type conformation. [49] [56] N protein is a phosphoprotein of 43 to 50 kDa in size, and is divided into three conserved domains.
The proteins making up the capsid are called capsid proteins or viral coat proteins (VCP). The virus genomic component inside the capsid, along with occasionally present virus core protein, is called the virus core. The capsid and core together are referred to as a nucleocapsid (cf. also virion).
Many copies of a single viral protein or a number of different viral proteins make up the capsid, and each of these viral proteins are coded for by one gene from the viral genome. The structure of the capsid allows the virus to use a small number of viral genes to make a large capsid. [3]
Virus genomes (either DNA or RNA) are extremely tightly packed into the viral capsid. [4] [5] Many viruses are therefore little more than an organised collection of nucleoproteins with their binding sites pointing inwards.
A unique feature of the genome is the M2 gene, which encodes proteins M2-1 and M2-2. The pneumovirus M2-1 protein is distinctive, and no homologue has been found in any other virus families. It functions as a processivity factor for the virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and promotes viral RNA synthesis. [6]
Review articles cover general virology, the mechanisms of viral disease, host–pathogen interactions, and cellular and immune responses to viral infection. [3] As of 2024, Journal Citation Reports lists the journal's 2023 impact factor as 8.1, ranking it third of 41 journal titles in the category "Virology". [ 2 ]
During assembly of the bacteriophage (phage) T4 virion, the structural proteins encoded by the phage genes interact with each other in a characteristic sequence. Maintaining an appropriate balance in the amounts of each of these structural proteins produced during viral infection appears to be critical for normal phage T4 morphogenesis. [4]