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The nucleocapsid protein of hantaviruses: much more than a genome-wrapping protein

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Abstract

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of hantaviruses represents an impressive example of a viral multifunctional protein. It encompasses properties as diverse as genome packaging, RNA chaperoning, intracellular protein transport, DNA degradation, intervention in host translation, and restricting host immune responses. These functions all rely on the capability of N to interact with RNA and other viral and cellular proteins. We have compiled data on the N protein of different hantavirus species together with information of the recently published three-dimensional structural data of the protein. The array of diverse functional activities accommodated in the hantaviral N protein goes far beyond to be a static structural protein and makes it an interesting target in the development of antiviral therapeutics.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Petra Mackeldanz and Elisabeth Möncke-Buchner for help with the figures and Dr. Martin J. Raftery for critical reading of the manuscript and helpful suggestions. Our own scientific work on hantaviruses was continuously supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (KR1293) and Universitäre Forschungsförderung of the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

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  1. Institute of Virology, Helmut-Ruska-Haus, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Monika Reuter & Detlev H. Krüger

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  1. Monika Reuter
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  2. Detlev H. Krüger
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Correspondence to Monika Reuter.

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Reuter, M., Krüger, D.H. The nucleocapsid protein of hantaviruses: much more than a genome-wrapping protein. Virus Genes 54, 5–16 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11262-017-1522-3

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