Characterization of human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein

The Nucleocapsid Protein of Human Coronavirus NL63

Human coronavirus (HCoV) NL63 was first described in 2004 and is associated with respiratory tract disease of varying severity. At the genetic and structural level, HCoV-NL63 is similar to other members of the Coronavirinae subfamily, especially human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E). Detailed analysis, however, reveals several unique features of the pathogen. The coronaviral nucleocapsid protein i...

Genetic variability of human respiratory coronavirus OC43.

Production of specific antibodies against SARS-coronavirus nucleocapsid protein without cross reactivity with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening disease for which accurate diagnosis is essential. Although many tools have been developed for the diagnosis of SARS, false-positive reactions in negative sera may occur because of cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses. We have raised polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (Abs) using a recombinant form of the SARS virus nucleocap...

Human Coronavirus OC43 Associated with Fatal Encephalitis.

To the Editor: Encephalitis is a serious neurologic syndrome characterized by brain inflammation that may be fatal. Although the majority of cases are caused by viruses, the identification of a causal organism can be difficult. Encephalopathy that affects patients with immunodeficiency is particularly challenging to diagnose, since the clinical presentation may be atypical and the differential ...

Modular organization of SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein.

The SARS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein is a major antigen in severe acute respiratory syndrome. It binds to the viral RNA genome and forms the ribonucleoprotein core. The SARS-CoV N protein has also been suggested to be involved in other important functions in the viral life cycle. Here we show that the N protein consists of two non-interacting structural domains, the N-terminal RNA-binding doma...