Calicivirus assembly and stability are mediated by the N-terminal domain of the capsid protein with the involvement of the viral genome

Caliciviruses are important human and animal pathogens that cause varying clinical signs including gastroenteritis, respiratory illness, and hepatitis. Despite the availability of numerous calicivirus structures, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of capsid assembly and stability, or about genome packaging. Here we present the atomic structure of the RHDV virion and several related non-infectious virus-like particles, determined using cryo-EM at 2.5-3.3 Å resolution. The inherent molecular switch, responsible for the conformational flexibility of the capsid protein VP1, is located in its N-terminal arm (NTA). The NTA establishes an extensive network of interactions on the inner capsid surface that stabilizes the hexamers and pentamers. For this structural polymorphism, we show that the NTA must interact with the RNA viral genome, that is, the genomic RNA acts concomitantly with the NTA as a molecular switch. The NTA-RNA interaction leads to specific conformational states that result in two types of VP1 dimers (the basic building blocks) necessary for T=3 capsid assembly. In addition, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to assess whether differences in genomic RNA content influence viral properties such as capsid stiffness in physiological conditions. These analyses highlight the mechanical role of packed RNA genome in RHDV virions, as the virion capsid pentamers are strengthened by interactions of the NTA star-like structure promoted by the viral genome. These results indicate that the interactions between the NTA and the viral genome guide the conformational states of VP1 dimers, directing capsid assembly and modulating its mechanical properties. Through interference with intermediate assemblies, the NTA network promoted by the genome could be an attractive target in future antiviral strategies.