Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein

Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein

Oligomerizes into helical capsid to encapsidate the viral genome, protecting it from nucleases and the cellular innate immune response (PubMed:26119732, PubMed:25865894, PubMed:30333622, PubMed:16719918).

VP35 binds to and stabilizes monomeric NP, keeping it soluble (PubMed:26119732, PubMed:25865894).

Upon virus replication, NP is recruited to bind cooperatively viral genomic RNA and VP35 is released (PubMed:29144446).

The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the nucleocapsid and serves as template for transcription and replication. The nucleocapsid is helical with a pitch of 10.81 NP per turn and a diameter of about 22nm (PubMed:22247782).

Each NP binds to six nucleotides of viral genomic RNA, three being exposed to the solvant and three hidden into the nucleocapsid (PubMed:30333622).

Recruits also host PPP2R5C phosphatase to dephosphorylate VP30 and thereby promote viral transcription (PubMed:29290611, PubMed:27755595).

Upon virion assembly and budding, NP binds to VP24 and possibly host STAU1 (PubMed:28794491, PubMed:30301857).

Viral RNA genome packaging Source: InterPro

Phosphorylated by host.
O-glycosylated by host.
Acetylated by host EP300 in vitro.