Structure determination of N-terminal peptide of nucleoprotein (NP20) of influenza virus H5N1 by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Influenza virus has long been a major threat to public health worldwide. The virus can be highly deadly because of antigenic shift. Since the H5N1 outbreak in Hong Kong in 1997, avian flu is regarded as the next pandemic threat. For combating the disease, it is essential to investigate more on the influenza virus, in particular H5N1. Nucleoprotein (NP) is a major component of the ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) in the influenza virus. NP exhibits both structural and functional roles for influenza virus assembly and propagation and is involved in mediating the transcription-replication process. The NP of the virus binds the RNA genome and acts as a key adapter between the virus and the host cell. It therefore plays important roles and represents an attractive drug target. Recently, the X-ray structure of H5N1 NP was solved to a resolution of 3.3 Å , which provides valuable clues on how NP carries out its functions. However, the N-terminal 1-20 residues were not resolved in the H5N1 NP crystal structure. This N-terminal region is thought to contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS), a cellular splicing factor BAT1/UAP56 binding site, and a nuclear export signal. It has been suggested that the N-terminal NLS binds to importin (a cytosolic protein) for the nuclear import of NP.

In the present study, the solution structure of H5N1 NP N-terminal peptide (NP20) in membrane mimetic solvent condition was determined using Circular Dichroism (CD) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The CD results show that NP20 adopted an α-helical conformation. The NMR data indicate that NP20 formed a single α-helix spanning from residues Gly5 to Gly16. Surface electrostatic potentials further showed that the NP20 peptide is amphipathic in nature, which may be important for its binding with importin. NMR titration experiments have been carried out between NP20 and importin. Addition of importin into the solution of NP20 peptide caused significant broadening of the NMR signals of NP20 and progressive changes of the chemical shifts of NOE cross-peaks at increasing importin concentration confirm that NP20 could bind with importin. Therefore, the present study supports that NP20 region is the binding site of importin mediating the import of NP into the host cell nucleus.

In conclusion, the knowledge gained from this study provides a better understanding on the structure of NP20 and its interaction with the host importin protein, and may serve as a template for the development of novel antiviral drug targeting NP with improved therapeutic index.