Structural basis for importin alpha 3 specificity of W proteins in Hendra and Nipah viruses

Kate M. Smith, Sofiya Tsimbalyuk, Megan R. Edwards, Emily M. Cross, Jyoti Batra, Tatiana P. Soares da Costa, David Aragão, Christopher F. Basler () and Jade K. Forwood ()
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Kate M. Smith: Charles Sturt University
Sofiya Tsimbalyuk: Charles Sturt University
Megan R. Edwards: Georgia State University
Emily M. Cross: Charles Sturt University
Jyoti Batra: Georgia State University
Tatiana P. Soares da Costa: La Trobe University
David Aragão: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Christopher F. Basler: Georgia State University
Jade K. Forwood: Charles Sturt University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Seven human isoforms of importin α mediate nuclear import of cargo in a tissue- and isoform-specific manner. How nuclear import adaptors differentially interact with cargo harbouring the same nuclear localisation signal (NLS) remains poorly understood, as the NLS recognition region is highly conserved. Here, we provide a structural basis for the nuclear import specificity of W proteins in Hendra and Nipah viruses. We determine the structural interfaces of these cargo bound to importin α1 and α3, identifying a 2.4-fold more extensive interface and > 50-fold higher binding affinity for importin α3. Through the design of importin α1 and α3 chimeric and mutant proteins, together with structures of cargo-free importin α1 and α3 isoforms, we establish that the molecular basis of specificity resides in the differential positioning of the armadillo repeats 7 and 8. Overall, our study provides mechanistic insights into a range of important nucleocytoplasmic transport processes reliant on isoform adaptor specificity.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05928-5

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