Researchers Unveil Unique Assembly of Bornavirus Nucleoprotein-RNA Complex
Researchers from Kyoto University, Osaka Dental University, and Osaka Metropolitan University have provided the first detailed structural description of the nucleoprotein-RNA complex in Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1). Using cryo-electron microscopy, they obtained high-resolution images and performed computational classification to reconstruct the distinct assembly states of the complex. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals the three-dimensional structure of the complex, showing ring-like assemblies and viral RNA binding in the inner groove. The findings suggest a unique binding mode distinct from other related viruses, with each nucleoprotein subunit accommodating eight RNA nucleotides. The research also indicates that mutations impairing RNA binding disrupt viral RNA synthesis, although nucleoprotein assemblies can form without RNA. 
