Molecular and structural characterization of the Leishmania RNA virus LRV1-4

• Grant number: 13/17791-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Otavio Henrique Thiemann
• Grantee: Otavio Henrique Thiemann
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Carlos

Abstract

The study of protozoa is important for several reasons, including their diversity, their evolutionary importance and public health impact. The Leishmania RNA virus 1-4 (LRV1-4) is a virus belonging to the Totiviridae family with an icosahedral capsid structure that encodes two proteins (a capsid major protein and an RNA polymerase). Having limited investigation on this virus we initiated a its molecular characterization with the purpose of performing future structural and functional investigations. Recent data indicate the involvement of LRV1-4 in the Leishmania pathogenesis in the mammalian host, rendering its study of fundamental importance for the understanding of the disease. It was not possible to obtain the recombinant expression of any of the two viral proteins, therefore we established a new protocol for cell lysis and purification with which it was obtained unprecedented images of Transmission electron microscopy. In the present proposal we will continue the work previously initiated with more detailed investigation of Scaning electron Microscopy by Negative Staining technique and Cryo-Electron Microscopy. This work will allow the establishment of a structural model of the LRV1-4 capsid arrangement and so establish its correct relation among the Totiviridae. In addition to the biological and Leishmania pathogenesis contributions of this study, it represents also the first structural characterization of a viral capsid undertaken in Brasil and therefore an important contribution to the virology and structural biology fields in Brasil. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BALASCO SERRAO, VITOR HUGO; SILVA, IVAN ROSA; ALVES DA SILVA, MARCO TULIO; SCORTECCI, JSSICA FERNANDES; FERNANDES, ADRIANO DE FREITAS; THIEMANN, OTAVIO HENRIQUE. The unique tRNA(Sec) and its role in selenocysteine biosynthesis. Amino Acids, v. 50, n. 9, p. 1145-1167, SEP 2018. (11/24017-4, 16/20977-7, 13/17791-0, 12/23730-1, 10/04429-3)

SCORTECCI, JESSICA F.; SERRAO, VITOR HUGO B.; FERNANDES, ADRIANO F.; BASSO, LUIS G. M.; GUTIERREZ, RAISSA F.; ARAUJO, ANA PAULA U.; NETO, MARIO O.; THIEMANN, OTAVIO H.. Initial steps in selenocysteine biosynthesis: The interaction between selenocysteine lyase and selenophosphate synthetase. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v. 156, p. 18-26, AUG 1 2020. (12/23730-1, 16/20977-7, 14/00206-0, 13/17791-0, 14/16005-4)

SCORTECCI, JESSICA FERNANDES; FERNANDES, ADRIANO DE FREITAS; SERRAO, VITOR HUGO BALASCO; CORNELIO, MARINONIO LOPES; NETO, MARIO DE OLIVEIRA; THIEMANN, OTAVIO HENRIQUE. Biophysical analysis of SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2) from Naegleria gruberi. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS, v. 1873, n. 4, p. 9-pg., 2025-05-02. (13/17791-0, 16/20977-7, 14/16005-4, 14/00206-0, 12/23730-1)

BALASCO SERRAO, VITOR HUGO; DE FREITAS FERNANDES, ADRIANO; MANSOR BASSO, LUIS GUILHERME; SCORTECCI, JESSICA FERNANDES; CRUSCA JUNIOR, EDSON; LOPES CORNELIO, MARINONIO; MONSON DE SOUZA, BIBIANA; PALMA, MARIO SERGIO; DE OLIVEIRA NETO, MARIO; THIEMANN, OTAVIO HENRIQUE. The Specific Elongation Factor to Selenocysteine Incorporation in Escherichia coli: Unique tRNA(Sec) Recognition and its Interactions. Journal of Molecular Biology, v. 433, n. 23, NOV 19 2021. (13/17791-0, 14/00206-0, 12/15777-8, 12/23730-1, 14/16005-4, 98/14138-2)