Structure of Virus Like Particles of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus  

Marta Šiborová1, Tibor Füzik1, Hana Španielová2, Pavel Plevka1

1Structural Virology, CEITEC, Kamenice 753/5, Brno, 625 00

2 Faculty od Science, Charles University, Viničná 1965/5, Prague, 128 43

 

Polyomaviruses are small, non enveloped, dsDNA viruses. Their capsids are formed by major capsid protein (VP1) and two minor capsid proteins (VP2 and VP3). Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a human pathogen form the family Polyomaviridae. MCPyV is widespread in humans and causes rare but aggressive skin tumors - Merkel cell carcinomas, in immunosuppressed individuals.  No vaccines or antivirals against MCPyV are known. We determined the  structure of the MCPyV virus like particle (VLP) by cryo-electron microscopy and single particle analysis to  the resolution of 3.7 Å. Previously, structure of MCPyV VP1 pentamer, truncated from C and N terminus, was solved. Our reconstruction of whole VLPs reveals how  pentamers  form the capsid through interactions of  C- and N-terminal parts of VP1s. Capsid stability is strengthened by disulfide bonds between VP1s from two adjacent pentamers.