Identification of a stable nucleocapsid dimer formed by SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Conference Year
January 2023
Abstract
Most SARS-CoV-2 research has focused on mutations seen in the Spike protein, however the nucleocapsid protein (N) is also under selective pressure and multiple mutations have been documented. We identified three SARS-CoV-2 variants (Beta, Iota, and Delta) that encode different cysteine mutations– R185C, G215C, and G243C–that result in the production of a highly stable form of N with twice the expected molecular weight of an N monomer. We hypothesize these mutations facilitate a highly stable N-N dimer mediated by the introduction of a cysteine into the linker region of N, which may lead to an advantage during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Emily Bruce
Graduate Student Mentors
Hannah Despres, Madaline Schmidt
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Molecular Genetics
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Identification of a stable nucleocapsid dimer formed by SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Most SARS-CoV-2 research has focused on mutations seen in the Spike protein, however the nucleocapsid protein (N) is also under selective pressure and multiple mutations have been documented. We identified three SARS-CoV-2 variants (Beta, Iota, and Delta) that encode different cysteine mutations– R185C, G215C, and G243C–that result in the production of a highly stable form of N with twice the expected molecular weight of an N monomer. We hypothesize these mutations facilitate a highly stable N-N dimer mediated by the introduction of a cysteine into the linker region of N, which may lead to an advantage during SARS-CoV-2 infection.