NSP5 (rotavirus)

NSP5 is a non-structural protein produced by rotaviruses, a genus of viruses that are a leading cause of gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. NSP5 is encoded by gene 11 of the rotavirus genome and plays a critical role in the formation of viroplasms, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies that serve as viral replication factories within infected cells.

Specifically, NSP5 undergoes extensive post-translational modification, particularly hyperphosphorylation. This phosphorylation is essential for the protein's function in viroplasm formation. The phosphorylated form of NSP5 self-associates and recruits other viral proteins and RNA to the viroplasm.

The exact mechanism by which NSP5 mediates viroplasm formation is not fully understood, but it is known to interact with other viral proteins, including NSP2 and NSP6. These interactions are thought to be crucial for assembling and organizing the viroplasm structure. The viroplasm provides a protected environment for viral RNA replication and packaging, shielding it from cellular antiviral defenses.

Studies have shown that deletion or mutation of NSP5 significantly reduces viral replication, highlighting its importance in the rotavirus life cycle. NSP5 is therefore a target for antiviral drug development, with the goal of disrupting viroplasm formation and inhibiting viral replication. Understanding the structure and function of NSP5 is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat rotavirus infections.