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1) Morphogenesis and transport of Filovirus nucleocapsids

Filoviruses are enveloped with a membrane derived from the host cell plasma membrane and possess a single stranded RNA genome of negative polarity. The RNA genome is encapsidated by the nucleoprotein NP, the viral protein 35 (VP35), VP24, VP30 and is associated with the viral polymerase L forming the nucleocapsid (NC).
Replication of filovirus genomes takes place in inclusion bodies located close to the nucleus. During synthesis, genomes are encapsidated to form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes which mature to transport-competent NCs inside the inclusions (Dolnik &Becker; PLOS Pathogens 2022).

Currently in this project, we are investigating the spatial and temporal organization of filoviral RNA synthesis, its packaging into RNPs and the molecular basis for RNP maturation to become transport-competent NCs. We have determined that three of the five EBOV NC proteins are sufficient to form transport competent nucleocapsid like structures (NCLS) of same dimension and structure like the authentic viral NCs. Additionally, we characterize the cellular and viral factors which are involved in the recruitment of the actin-polymerizing machinery to one end of the NCs that drives their transport.

Ebola virus NCLS induce polar actin tails during transport

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