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Projects
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The research in the Panganiban lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms
that are required for successful RNA encapsidation and virus replication.
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Hantavirus RNA Encapsidation
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Hantaviruses are tripartite negative strand viruses and
member of the bunyavirus family. Encapsidation involves the correct
association of the three genome segments, designated "S, M, and L"
with the virus capsid. Interaction of the nucleocapsid protein,
which is encoded by the viral S segment, appears to be key to the
bunyavirus encapsidation process. It appears that each of the three
viral genome segments forms a "panhandle" structure through the base
pairing of the terminal nucleotides in each of the three genome
segments. Correct, high affinity association between the
nucleocapsid protein and the panhandle may serve as an initiating
step in successful RNA encapsidation.
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HIV RNA Encapsidation and RNA Structure
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Encapsidation of retroviral RNA is a process in which two
copies of full length genomic RNA is incorporated into the assembling virus particle. Subgenomic RNAs and
nonviral RNAs are largely excluded during encapsidation. Moreover, the two packaged RNAs are found in
stable but noncovalent association with each other. This process of RNA packaging involves the recognition
of cis-elements within genomic RNA by the product of the gag gene. We are identifying and characterizing
the nature of the cis-acting elements that are recognized during encapsidation, and the elements that are
involved in RNA dimer formation. These signals are imbedded in the higher order RNA structure of the
viral RNA.
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