Phosphoregulation of Phase Separation by the SARS-CoV-2 N Protein Suggests a Biophysical Basis for its Dual Functions.
Mol Cell
; 80(6): 1092-1103.e4, 2020 12 17.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1386332
ABSTRACT
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses serves two major functions compaction of the RNA genome in the virion and regulation of viral gene transcription. It is not clear how the N protein mediates such distinct functions. The N protein contains two RNA-binding domains surrounded by regions of intrinsic disorder. Phosphorylation of the central disordered region promotes the protein's transcriptional function, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here, we show that the N protein of SARS-CoV-2, together with viral RNA, forms biomolecular condensates. Unmodified N protein forms partially ordered gel-like condensates and discrete 15-nm particles based on multivalent RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Phosphorylation reduces these interactions, generating a more liquid-like droplet. We propose that distinct oligomeric states support the two functions of the N protein unmodified protein forms a structured oligomer that is suited for nucleocapsid assembly, and phosphorylated protein forms a liquid-like compartment for viral genome processing.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
RNA, Viral
/
Protein Multimerization
/
Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Mol Cell
Journal subject:
Molecular Biology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.MOLCEL.2020.11.025
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