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. 2018 Aug;31:74–81. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.07.003

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Genomic RNA defines capsomer conformation in MS2. (a) The MS2 capsid (based on pdb-id 1ZDH) is formed from asymmetric (blue/green) and symmetric (pink) forms of the coat protein dimer in a 2:1 ratio. (b) The stem–loop TR triggers a conformational change from the symmetric to the asymmetric form of the coat protein dimer. The characteristic packaging signal recognition motif is given by (x)xYA in the apical loop of the stem–loop, and the A in the 5′ bulge. Other stem–loops in the viral genome sharing aspects of this motif can also function as packaging signals [29,32].