Promotion of virus assembly and Organization by the measles virus matrix protein

There are currently no approved antivirals to treat measles virus (Mev) or other paramyxoviruses, despite the fact that MeV is still a serious human infection. Here, the researchers employed cryo-electron tomography to clarify the rules guiding paramyxovirus assembly in human cells infected with MeV. During the phases of virus assembly and budding as well as virion release, the three-dimensional (3D) configuration of the MeV structural proteins, which include the Matrix protein (M), the ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) and surface glycoproteins (F and H) was described. The M protein is seen as a well-organized membrane associated two dimensional (2D) paracrystalline array. The discovery of a two layered F-M lattice raises the possibility that interactions between the F and M could coordinate crucial MeV assembly processes. The RNP complex continues to be connected to and nearer to the M lattice in this model. In conclusion, the M lattice makes it easier for the RNP and surface glycoproteins to be incorporated and concentrated in a well-ordered manner at virus assembly locations.
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