Non-encapsidation activities of the capsid proteins of positive-strand RNA viruses

Abstract

Viral capsid proteins (CPs) are characterized by their role in forming protective shells around viral genomes. However, CPs have additional and important roles in the virus infection cycles and in the cellular responses to infection. These activities involve CP binding to RNAs in both sequence-specific and nonspecific manners as well as association with other proteins. This review focuses on CPs of both plant and animal-infecting viruses with positive-strand RNA genomes. We summarize the structural features of CPs and describe their modulatory roles in viral translation, RNA-dependent RNA synthesis, and host defense responses.

Highlights

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  We review regulatory activities of the capsid proteins of (+)-strand RNA viruses.

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  Activities of capsid proteins due to RNA binding and protein binding.

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  Effects of capsid proteins on viral processes.

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  Effects of capsid proteins on cellular processes.

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  Regulatory activities of the capsid proteins are affected by capsid concentrations.