Characterisation of an interaction involved in viral replication : submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University

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dc.contributor.authorClaridge, Jolyon
dc.date.accessioned2011-01-11T00:45:40Z
dc.date.availableNO_RESTRICTIONen_US
dc.date.available2011-01-11T00:45:40Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractHuman rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a major cause of illness worldwide and, as members of Picornaviridae, are closely related to several other human and animal pathogens that exact a large medical and economic cost on society. Viral infections in general are particularly difficult to treat, as viruses co-opt many of the host’s own biochemical pathways, making disabling the virus without harming the host very difficult. Carefully targeted strategies are required and detailed structural information is useful, both to identify new drug targets, and to fully understand interactions. One particular protein expressed by picornaviruses is 3C protease, which is responsible for post-translational processing of the viral capsid. This protease has a cysteine as its active site nucleophile, a functionality not found in eukaryotic proteases. The unusual active site makes 3C an attractive target for pharmaceuticals. Drugs that block the proteolytic action of 3C are currently in clinical trials. In addition to its proteolytic activity, 3C protease also has another function, that of an RNA binding protein. This activity has been shown to be required during replication of the viral RNA genome. In this study, the structure of 3C protease from HRV14 is investigated using NMR and other biophysical techniques. The structural information gained from these studies is used, along with data on 3C protease RNA-binding activity acquired using solution-state NMR and SAXS data, to elucidate a structure of the 3C–RNA complex. In addition, the dynamics of the free protein and of the protein in the presence of a specific inhibitor are investigated by solution-state NMR, and the potential role of dynamics in the function of the protein is explored. Finally, potential allosteric interaction between the RNA-binding and proteolytic functions of 3C is postulated, and further interactions of 3C and the 3C–RNA complex are discussed. It is hoped that a more complete understanding of 3C and its interactions will lead to more effective treatments for picornaviral infections in the future.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/2042
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectHuman rhinoviruses (HRVs)en_US
dc.subjectPicornaviridaeen_US
dc.subjectPicornavirusesen_US
dc.subject3C proteaseen_US
dc.subject.otherFields of Research::240000 Physical Sciences::240300 Atomic and Molecular Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics, Plasma Physics::240301 Atomic and molecular physicsen_US
dc.titleCharacterisation of an interaction involved in viral replication : submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey Universityen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorClaridge, Jolyon
thesis.degree.disciplinePhysicsen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)en_US
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