Articles tagged with Capsids
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Salk Institute researchers have determined the structure of HIV's integrase protein during its newly discovered function, enabling the development of better HIV therapeutics. The study reveals a surprising flexibility in the protein's architecture, which can interact with both DNA and RNA, paving the way for new integrase-targeting drugs.
Research by University of California, Riverside physicist Roya Zandi reveals how viruses form highly symmetrical icosahedral structures around their genomes through a process of self-correction, driven by protein elasticity. This study could lead to designing synthetic nanocontainers for medical and biotech uses.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have discovered a molecular mechanism behind genome ejection from adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. The study reveals that the N-terminal region of the VP1 protein undergoes structural changes upon heating, facilitating genome release.
Researchers successfully constructed a large molecular spherical shell structure with the geometric topology of a regular dodecahedron through entanglement of peptides with metal ions. The resulting M60L60 metal-peptide shell exhibits remarkable stability against heat, dilution, and oxidative conditions, making it a promising platform ...
A new machine learning model accurately predicts the fitness of AAV capsids based on their amino acid sequence, enabling more efficient and cost-effective gene therapies. The model's robustness and generalizability have been demonstrated through tests on independent datasets, offering a promising tool for capsid engineering.
A new study found that recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) capsids contain single-stranded DNA impurities derived from plasmid and host cell DNA. The researchers suggest that the adverse effects of these impurities may differ from those of double-stranded DNA, highlighting the need for further evaluation.
Researchers found that Copia's capsid plays a crucial role in controlling structural synaptic plasticity at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. The study suggests that this parasitic genome element influences neuronal communication and behavior.
Genethon has developed an innovative gene therapy vector that effectively targets muscle tissue while reducing the risk of liver penetration. The new capsid design uses AI predictive methodology to improve efficacy and safety, paving the way for more effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases.
A computational model of the more than 26 million atoms in a DNA-packed viral capsid has expanded our understanding of virus structure and DNA dynamics. The study found that the DNA formed switchback loops as it was pushed into the capsid, similar to how DNA is organized in eukaryotic cells.
Researchers have discovered how lenacapavir disrupts the HIV life cycle by fortifying the capsid and making it brittle. This leads to a premature breakage of the capsid, exposing the viral genetic material to the host cell cytoplasm.
Researchers used simulations to model HIV's journey into the nucleus, finding it uses an electrostatic ratchet to squeeze through. The study provides insights into the complex interactions between the virus and cell, suggesting new targets for therapeutic drugs.
Researchers discover HIV uses its capsid to bypass cellular defenses and transport genetic material into the cell nucleus. The 'smart' FG phase of the nuclear envelope allows the capsid to slide through, concealing the genomic payload from anti-viral sensors.
Researchers discovered how HIV enters the cell's centre by mimicking host proteins, enabling it to produce genetic copies and infect other cells. The study provides insight into host-pathogen interactions beyond HIV biology.
Scientists have developed a way to program virus particles' size and shape using DNA origami nanostructures, potentially advancing vaccine development and drug delivery. The approach uses electrostatic interactions between DNA nanostructures and capsid proteins to create user-defined assemblies.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of the structures and functions of Andhra gene products, paving the way for custom phages for therapeutic applications. The high-resolution knowledge of the virus structure is crucial for developing targeted treatments against Staphylococcus epidermidis infections.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology create novel self-complementary macrocycles with high control over assembly, using a dual interaction system that incorporates hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. The resulting structures have potential applications in optical and electronic functions.
Researchers discover medusavirus undergoes four stages of maturation within host cells, with unique particle structures and DNA-protein exchange mechanisms. The findings provide new insights into giant viruses' biology and behavior.
A UC Riverside-led team developed a theory and performed simulations to understand how viruses package their genetic material. The research reveals that capsid proteins are inclined to form shells around viral RNAs due to lower stress distribution, which can aid in designing nanocontainers for drug delivery.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin create first-ever biologically authentic computer model of HIV-1 virus liposome, shedding light on replication and infectivity. The study reveals key characteristics of the liposome's asymmetry and its role in shaping macroscopic properties.
A team of researchers has solved the structure of the HIV capsid alone and in complex with host factors using a novel approach. The breakthrough could lead to the development of capsid-targeting antivirals, providing new hope for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Researchers successfully simulated the capsid disassembly step of hepatitis B viral infection at an unprecedented atomic level, identifying specific regions of the capsid protein that contribute to breakage. This high-accuracy simulation can help design drugs to interrupt these processes and prevent chronic infection.
Researchers at IST Austria have uncovered the crucial role of IP6 in stabilizing virus shells, preventing premature genome release. The study provides insights into the variability of capsid shapes and potential differences in infectivity.
Researchers have developed a pioneering plant-based technology to study the virus maturation process, revealing large structural rearrangements that enable chemical reactions necessary for infection. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of an essential part of a virus infection cycle.
Computational biophysics research uncovers mechanism for HIV-1 virus importing nucleotides into its core for DNA synthesis. The study challenges the prevailing view of the viral capsid and reveals an active role in regulating a key step in the virus's life cycle.
Scientists have successfully imaged HIV during transport into the nucleus of an infected cell using 3D imaging techniques. The images show that the viral capsid passes through the nuclear pore intact before breaking apart inside the nucleus.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to generate a large library of distinct AAV capsid variants, achieving a 60% viable yield. This approach overcomes the limitation of current vectors and expands the number of diseases treatable with gene therapies.
Researchers at Wyss Institute and Google Research used machine learning to design highly diverse AAV capsid variants that can evade neutralizing antibodies. The approach produced over 57,000 variants with improved functional diversity, potentially leading to improved gene therapies and reduced immunogenicity.
A genetic mutation in the 'coat' of a brain infection-causing virus may allow it to escape neutralizing antibodies, increasing the risk of developing a fatal brain disease. Researchers have identified this mutation in the mouse equivalent of JC polyomavirus and found that it prevents monoclonal antibodies from interacting with the virus.
Researchers recreated HIV infection steps in a test tube, identifying essential components for replication. The study provides an unprecedented view of the virus and its role in infection, shedding light on potential targets for improved treatments.
Researchers at the University of Delaware used supercomputing resources to gain insights into the hepatitis B virus's genetic blueprint and how its protein shell assembles itself. They found that a mutation impairs this assembly process, revealing communication between different regions of the protein.
Researchers developed novel variants of adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsids with improved transduction properties in the mouse retina and cornea. The efficient gene delivery of these variants was confirmed in non-human primate tissue, adding to their potential use in treating human ocular diseases.
A multidisciplinary team from UTMB has uncovered a new mechanism for designing antiviral drugs for dengue virus. The co-crystal structure of the dengue capsid protein in complex with an inhibitor provides atomic details of how the inhibitor blocks viral infection.
Scientists from Japan investigate the mouse norovirus structure and find two alternative capsid structures (type A and type B) that switch depending on aqueous conditions. Type B particles show a delay in propagation and reduced adsorption to host cells, suggesting they may evade the immune system before changing to type A for infection.
A team of Michigan State University scientists developed a reliable model to study giant viruses, identifying key proteins that orchestrate infection and release their genome. The study revealed three environmental conditions that induce stargate opening, allowing researchers to mimic stages of infection with high frequency.
Using high-throughput screening of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector capsid libraries, researchers identified functional and efficient AAV variants after only one round of selection. Infection with a high multiplicity of infection (MOI) was found to be preferable to infection with a low MOI, reducing variation between screens.
A UC Riverside-led study reveals that an interplay of energies at the molecular level enables virus shells to form symmetrically. The research could inform the design of engineered nano-shells used in drug delivery, with potential benefits for targeted treatment and reduced toxicity.
Research found that pre-treatment with empty SV40 capsids increased survival rates from zero to 75% in severe rat sepsis models. The underlying mechanism involves the up-regulation of Hsp/c70 and induction of the PI3K/Akt survival pathway.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a high-throughput synthetic biology approach to improve AAV capsid proteins, revealing hidden features and potential new accessory proteins that could help fast-track future gene therapies. The study uses machine-guided design to generate large numbers of high-quality capsid variants.
A team of scientists has developed an artificial intelligence approach to engineer improved AAV capsids for gene therapy delivery. The research reveals the existence of a previously unknown protein and demonstrates the potential to transform gene therapy. The study's findings have significant implications for the future of gene therapy.
Researchers discovered Caenorhabditis nematodes harboring virus-like RNA elements that are transmitted to offspring, suggesting a new route of viral transmission in multicellular animals. This finding expands our understanding of viruses beyond traditional capsid-based transmission methods.
Harvard researchers have captured the first-ever video of individual viruses assembling, offering a real-time view into their kinetics. The study reveals that viruses follow a specific pathway to form their capsid structure, with proteins arranging themselves into hexagons and pentagons around the RNA core.
Research reveals that viruses have multiple structural models, leading to the potential for more targeted vaccines. The study also provides a new framework for classifying viruses and designing antiviral strategies.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have mapped the intricate structure of noroviruses, a leading cause of food-borne illness. The discovery provides new insights into developing effective therapeutics for these viruses.
Canadian researchers found that genetic mutations affecting the HIV-1 capsid make it possible for TRIM5α to trigger an antiviral state in elite controllers, a subset of patients with strong immune systems. This mechanism could be used to develop immunity strategies against HIV.
A UC Riverside-led study deciphers the key elements for assembling large viruses, which may aid in interrupting their formation and containing viral diseases. The research uses continuum elasticity theory to explain how protein subunits arrange themselves into stable icosahedral structures with precision and symmetry.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that viral vectors used in gene therapy undergo spontaneous changes during manufacturing, affecting their structure and function. The team has developed new ways to prevent these changes, leading to more efficient and safer delivery of gene therapies.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have revealed the 3D structure of a deadly plant virus in unprecedented detail using cryo-electron microscopy. The discovery could help virologists and molecular biologists develop new ways to stop the spread of these viruses and the diseases they cause.
Researchers have reconstructed the 3.1 Å structure of the HSV-2 B-capsid, expanding our understanding of its assembly mechanism. The study revealed four major conformers of the VP5 protein, which form extensive intermolecular networks and stabilize the capsid.
New virus-cracking molecules can disrupt viral capsid assembly, preventing replication and killing new copies of the virus. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments against multiple viruses, including polio and herpes.
Scientists have discovered that a gene crucial for learning, called Arc, can send its genetic material from one neuron to another by employing a strategy commonly used by viruses. This new process may allow the toxic proteins responsible for Alzheimer's disease to spread through the brain.
A recent study by University of Utah Health researchers has discovered a novel protein, Arc, that resembles viral proteins and plays a significant role in cell-to-cell communication in the brain. The protein facilitates the transfer of genetic material between neurons, potentially altering our understanding of how memories are formed.
Researchers create virus-like nanoparticles that can detect and process environmental inputs, producing controllable outputs. The modified viruses can display multiple peptides on their surface, enabling efficient delivery of protein- or peptide-based therapeutics to specific cells or tissues.
Researchers have found a mechanism that prevents the formation of HIV's protein shell, which is essential for infection. The discovery could lead to the development of new anti-HIV drugs by targeting specific molecular processes.
A massive simulation of the HIV capsid has revealed new details about how it interacts with its environment, including oscillations that transmit information between different parts. The study also found that ions flow in and out of the capsid pores, potentially creating vulnerabilities for new drug development.
A new classification system for viruses based on their structure could help identify and treat emerging viruses. The system uses computational tools to detect similarities in the genetic code of viruses with similar outer structures, suggesting a common ancestor.
A research team at the University of Leeds has identified new mutations that make 'empty capsids' stable enough to act as vaccines, replacing traditional killed poliovirus vaccines. The stabilised VLPs are suitable for use after the virus has been eradicated and can be produced without growing live virus.
Researchers discovered a viral protein that transforms its structure when interacting with DNA, acting like a sensor to measure out appropriate lengths. This finding reveals a potential drug target for human herpesviruses and offers a new therapeutic strategy.
Researchers have discovered new details of the HPV capsid structure using cryo-electron microscopy, shedding light on key characteristics of its outer shell and proteins. This knowledge may lead to preventing the virus from binding to human cells, a crucial step in infection.
A University of California, Riverside researcher is leading a team studying the life cycles of harmful viruses. The goal is to understand viral capsid dynamics to develop new approaches to curb infections.
The study reveals differences in protein arrangement between immature Zika and other flaviviruses, shedding light on the virus's role in infection and disease. Understanding the structure of the immature form could help develop effective antiviral treatments and vaccines for diseases like microcephaly.