A potassium channel protein encoded by chlorella virus PBCV-1

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenZeitschriftenaufsätzeForschungbegutachtet

Authors

  • Barbara Plugge
  • Sabrina Gazzarrini
  • Michael C. Nelson
  • Raffaella Cerana
  • James L. Van Etten
  • Christian Derst
  • Dario DiFrancesco
  • A Moroni
  • Gerhard Thiel
The large chlorella virus PBCV-1, which contains double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), encodes a 94-codon open reading frame (ORF) that contains a motif resembling the signature sequence of the pore domain of potassium channel proteins. Phylogenetic analyses of the encoded protein, Kcv, indicate a previously unidentified type of potassium channel. The messenger RNA encoded by the ORF leads to functional expression of a potassium-selective conductance in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The channel blockers amantadine and barium, but not cesium, inhibit this conductance, in addition to virus plaque formation. Thus, PBCV-1 encodes the first known viral protein that functions as a potassium-selective channel and is essential in the virus life cycle.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftScience
Jahrgang287
Ausgabenummer5458
Seiten (von - bis)1641-1644
Anzahl der Seiten4
ISSN0036-8075
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 03.03.2000
Extern publiziertJa

DOI