The Hantavirus Glycoprotein G1 Tail Contains Dual CCHC-type Classical Zinc Fingers

J Biol Chem. 2009 Mar 27;284(13):8654-60. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M808081200. Epub 2009 Jan 29.

Abstract

Hantaviruses are distributed worldwide and can cause a hemorrhagic fever or a cardiopulmonary syndrome in humans. Mature virions consist of RNA genome, nucleocapsid protein, RNA polymerase, and two transmembrane glycoproteins, G1 and G2. The ectodomain of G1 is surface-exposed; however, it has a 142-residue C-terminal cytoplasmic tail that plays important roles in viral assembly and host-pathogen interaction. Here we show by NMR, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and mutagenesis that a highly conserved cysteine/histidine-rich region in the G1 tail of hantaviruses forms two CCHC-type classical zinc fingers. Unlike classical zinc fingers, however, the two G1 zinc fingers are intimately joined together, forming a compact domain with a unique fold. We discuss the implication of the hantaviral G1 zinc fingers in viral assembly and host-pathogen interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome / metabolism
  • Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / metabolism
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / physiology
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Orthohantavirus / chemistry*
  • Orthohantavirus / physiology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Assembly / physiology
  • Zinc Fingers / physiology

Substances

  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein G1, Hantavirus