Investigation of PCV1 VP3 Through Structural Prediction and Analysis of Protein Dynamics

Sorel, Nicholas; Doehring, Kylie

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Investigation of PCV1 VP3 Through Structural Prediction and Analysis of Protein Dynamics

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PCV1-VP3, a viral protein capable of selectively inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, is encoded by the third open reading frame of Porcine Circovirus Type 1 (PCV1). The mechanism of action in which PCV1-VP3 targets and induces apoptosis in cancer cells is still unknown, largely due to the apparent lack of secondary and tertiary structure within the protein. PCV1-VP3 is highly suspected to be intrinsically disordered for this reason. In this study, predictive software was used to identify possible secondary and tertiary structures of PCV1-VP3 along with in vitro investigation into protein dynamics and interactions. The goal of this study was to uncover more about PCV1-VP3’s structure and behavior to make it possible for future research to discover the mechanism the protein uses to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Our research will facilitate the ongoing investigation into the validity of the use of PCV1-VP3 in the targeted treatment of cancer.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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