Alphavirus 6K proteins form ion channels
Date
2002
Authors
Melton, Julian
Ewart, Gary
Weir, Ron
Board, Philip
Lee, Eva
Gage, Peter
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc
Abstract
Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are Australian arboviruses of the Alphavirus genus. Features of alphavirus infection include an increased permeability of cells to monovalent cations followed by virion budding. Virally encoded ion channels are thought to have a role in these processes. In this paper, the 6K proteins of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are shown to form cation-selective ion channels in planar lipid bilayers. Using a novel purification method, bacterially expressed 6K proteins were inserted into bilayers with a defined orientation (i.e. N-terminal cis, C-terminal trans). Channel activity was reversibly inhibited by antibodies to the N and C termini of 6K protein added to the cis and trans baths, respectively. Channel conductances varied from 40-800 picosiemens, suggesting that the protein is able to form channels with a range of possible oligomerization states.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Antibodies; Cells; Enzyme inhibition; Mechanical permeability; Positive ions; Viruses; Arboviruses; Ion channels; Biochemistry; ion channel; monovalent cation; virus protein; Alpha virus; article; Barmah Forest virus; conductance; lipid bilayer; membrane
Citation
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Source
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Type
Journal article
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DOI
10.1074/jbc.M207847200
Restricted until
2037-12-31