Abstract
The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus serves as the genomic template for transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is sequestered in the nucleocapsid in every step of the virus replication cycle. The structure of the nucleocapsid and the entire virion revealed how the viral genomic RNA is encapsidated and packaged in the virus. A unique mechanism for viral RNA synthesis is derived from the structure of the nuleocapsid and its interactions with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
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Dr. Luo Ming received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Department of Chemistry (now College of Chemistry and Molecular Science), Wuhan University, in 1982. Through the China-United States Biochemistry Examination and Application (CUSBEA) program, he went to study biological sciences in Purdue University, Indiana, USA, and received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1987. He joined the faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Department of Microbiology in 1987. He was appointed Professor in 1996 and is now Associate Director of the Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering. His research interest focuses on structure of viruses and viral proteins, including vesicular stomatitis virus, influenza virus, HIV and hepatitis viruses. He also develops innovative methods for X-ray protein crystallography. Design of novel antiviral drugs is another of his research interests.
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Luo, M. The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus. Sci. China Life Sci. 55, 291–300 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-012-4307-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-012-4307-x