Building the machines: Scaffolding protein functions during bacteriophage morphogenesis

Peter E. Prevelige, Bentley A. Fane

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

For a machine to function, it must first be assembled. The morphogenesis of the simplest icosahedral virus would require only 60 copies of a single capsid protein to coalesce. If the capsid protein's structure could be entirely dedicated to this endeavor, the morphogenetic mechanism would be relatively uncomplicated. However, capsid proteins have had to evolve other functions, such as receptor recognition, immune system evasion, and the incorporation of other structure proteins, which can detract from efficient assembly. Moreover, evolution has mandated that viruses obtain additional proteins that allow them to adapt to their hosts or to more effectively compete in their respective niches. Consequently, genomes have increased in size, which has required capsids to do likewise. This, in turn, has lead to more complex icosahedral geometries. These challenges have driven the evolution of scaffolding proteins, which mediate, catalyze, and promote proper virus assembly. The mechanisms by which these proteins perform their functions are discussed in this review.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationViral Molecular Machines
EditorsMichael Rossmann, Venigalla Rao
Pages325-350
Number of pages26
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Publication series

NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume726
ISSN (Print)0065-2598

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Building the machines: Scaffolding protein functions during bacteriophage morphogenesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this