The genome-linked protein VPg of plant viruses-a protein with many partners

Curr Opin Virol. 2011 Nov;1(5):347-54. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2011.09.010. Epub 2011 Oct 14.

Abstract

For some plant positive-sense RNA viruses, a protein known as VPg (short for virus protein, genome linked) is covalently linked to the 5' end of the viral RNA. The VPg is an intrinsically disordered protein, and this property would confer an ability to bind several proteins. Accordingly, the potyvirus VPg interacts with many proteins, notably host factors involved in protein synthesis within viral replication factories or within the nucleus. The number of protein partners, the clustering of the various interactions centering around it, the biological importance for some of these interactions (e.g. VPg-eIF4E) and the intrinsically disordered state of the protein are all elements that support the notion that VPg is a hub protein that controls many processes leading to virus production and spread.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Plant Diseases / virology
  • Plants / genetics
  • Plants / metabolism
  • Plants / virology
  • Potyvirus / genetics
  • Potyvirus / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins