A molecular pore spans the double membrane of the coronavirus replication organelle.
Science
; 369(6509): 1395-1398, 2020 09 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32763915
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus genome replication is associated with virus-induced cytosolic double-membrane vesicles, which may provide a tailored microenvironment for viral RNA synthesis in the infected cell. However, it is unclear how newly synthesized genomes and messenger RNAs can travel from these sealed replication compartments to the cytosol to ensure their translation and the assembly of progeny virions. In this study, we used cellular cryo-electron microscopy to visualize a molecular pore complex that spans both membranes of the double-membrane vesicle and would allow export of RNA to the cytosol. A hexameric assembly of a large viral transmembrane protein was found to form the core of the crown-shaped complex. This coronavirus-specific structure likely plays a key role in coronavirus replication and thus constitutes a potential drug target.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Virus Replication
/
RNA, Viral
/
Murine hepatitis virus
/
Cytoplasmic Vesicles
/
Intracellular Membranes
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Science
Year:
2020
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Netherlands