Elsevier

Virus Research

Volume 154, Issues 1–2, December 2010, Pages 86-97
Virus Research

Review
The structural biology of PRRSV

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2010.07.029Get rights and content

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Arteriviridae family. Arteriviruses and coronaviruses are grouped together in the order Nidovirales, based on similarities in genome organization and expression strategy. Over the past decade, crystal structures of several viral proteins, electron microscopic studies of the virion, as well as biochemical and in vivo studies on protein–protein interactions have led to a greatly increased understanding of PRRSV structural biology. At this point, crystal structures are available for the viral proteases NSP1α, NSP1β and NSP4 and the nucleocapsid protein, N. The NSP1α and NSP1β structures have revealed additional non-protease domains that may be involved in modulation of host functions. The N protein forms a dimer with a novel fold so far only seen in PRRSV and other nidoviruses. Cryo-electron tomographic studies have shown the three-dimensional organization of the PRRSV virion and suggest that the viral nucleocapsid has an asymmetric, linear arrangement, rather than the isometric core previously described. Together, these studies have revealed a closer structural relationship between arteri- and coronaviruses than previously anticipated.

Research highlights

▶ Crystal structures of PRRSV proteases reveal domains that may be involved in modulation of host functions. ▶ The PRRSV N protein dimerization domain has a fold only seen in nidovirus nucleocapsid proteins. ▶ The PRRSV virion is a rounded or oval enveloped particle with a smooth outer surface and a hollow, double-layered core. ▶ The PRRSV nucleocapsid has an asymmetric, linear organization, similar to the coronaviruses.

Abbreviations

EAV
equine arteritis virus
EM
electron microscopy
FMDV
food-and-mouth disease virus
GP
glycoprotein
LDV
lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus
LV
Lelystad virus
MHV
murine hepatitis virus
NSP
non-structural protein
ORF
open reading frame
PRRSV
porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
SARS-CoV
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
SHFV
simian hemorrhagic fever virus
TM
transmembrane
VLP
virus-like particle

Keywords

Cryo-electron microscopy
Envelope protein
Nidovirus
Nucleocapsid
Virion
Structure

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