Structural analysis of the NIL encoded protein which is an enhancer of viral replication and a neurovirulence factor
Proposed by Girish Korwal
The protein encoded by the NIL is the singlemost important neurovirulenceprotein encoded by poxviruses. On the primary structure level it has nosimilarity to anything in the data base but on 3D level it seems like andalphabetaalpha protein with possible similarity to adenylase cyase and atherefore a protein potentially involved in ATP utilization. The N1L openreading frame has been expressed in yeast and the project will involvepurification and crystallization and 3D structure determination. The structureis likely to shed light on the possible function.
Structural analysis of Kaposi’s sarcoma herpes virus homologs of VCP termed as KCP
Proposed by Girish Korwal
Kaposi’s sarcoma is a serious complication of HIV infected persons with AIDS.KCP is a lot more complex then VCP and has several more potential domainswhose function is unknown. The KCP and truncated KCP has been expressed inPichia and purification, crystallization and structure determination will haveto be done in order to understand the function of the protein.
Structural analysis of mutants of VCP
Proposed by Girish Korwal
This project will involved the structural characterization of varioustruncated and site-specific mutagenized mutants of VCP that have been and arebeing constructed in the lab. The project will involve growing the Pichiapastoris and purification of the mutants, crystallization trials andstructure determination and analysis. The structures will allow a fine tuningof the 3D structure with regard to the key interaction amino acids with theirrespective ligands and the development of a more potent VCP.