Structural and Functional Insights into Animal Circoviruses and Gyroviruses

Circoviridae and Anelloviridae viruses are present worldwide and can infect a large range of host species. New virus species are constantly being discovered and assigned to these families; whilst others that are likely to be assigned to these families, remain to be officially classified taxonomically. The virus families Circoviridae and Anelloviridae possess a circular genome, enclosed in a small and simple isohedral capsid.
This study provides determination of an expression method for Gyrovirus constructs CAV VP1 X and VP1 XL and low reslution
These findings indicate that there is now a known expression method for CAV constructs VP1 X and VP1 XL, and BCV X. Although expression trails for PCV-3 and AfaCV were unsuccessful, these initial trials will provide a base line for future trials.

The key aims of this honours thesis were to characterise the structure of BCV X with and without DNA using crystallography, design and test recombinant expression constructs of Starfish Cap protein and test recombinant expression of PCV-3 and CAV.
Successful expression and x-ray diffraction of BCV X + DNA VLP was achieved however the resolution achieved was not high enough to model the complex. Unfortunately expression of both PCV-3 and AfaCV was unsuccessful in this study due to time restraints and/or cell line issues. Achievement of expression of CAV VP1 X and CAV VP1 XL and subsequent solubilisation will provide a basis for expression and solubilisation of the two CAV constructs in the future studies. Overall, the preliminary results achieved in this study will be the basis for future work in the laboratory.
These findings indicate that there is now a known expression method for CAV constructs VP1 X and VP1 XL, and BCV X. Although expression trails for PCV-3 and AfaCV were unsuccessful, these initial trials will provide a base line for future trials.