MODELING OF THE TERTIARY STRUCTURE OF COXSACKIEVIRUS-B3 FROM THE STRUCTURE OF POLIOVIRUS AND RHINOVIRUS

The amino acid sequence of the cost proteins of coxsackievirus B3 (CB3 ) was aligned to the sequence of poliovirus and rhinovirus. A model of the tertiary structure of CB3 was built from the known structure of p oliovirus 1 and rhinovirus type 14. The CB3 protein shell is predicted to be similar to that of poliovirus and rhinovirus. The model shows t hat the surface loops which constitute the major immunogenic sites in these viruses are highly exposed also in CB3. Also other features, as the canyon and the ''WIN pocket'' are also predicted to be conserved i n CB3.