1. Structure of hepatitis E virus-like particle suggests mechanismsSol M. Gruner, Cornell University, DMR 0225180 Intellectual Merit: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for endemic and acute hepatitis and accounts for up to 50% of often fatal cases in large parts of the developing world. Researchers at Rice, and their international colleagues, have reported the first atomic structure of the protein shell HEV using x-ray data to 3.5 angstrom resolution. Their data allowed them to build mechanistic models for HEV capsid assembly, cell receptor binding sites, and antibody neutralization targets. These insights should help scientists seeking ways to stop the virus. Cryo-EM reconstruction of HEV at 14 Å resolution. The surface is colored by radial depth cue from blue, yellow, to red. (reference figure 1b). T. S. Y. Guua, Z. Liub, Q. Yea, D. A. Mataa, K. Lic, C. Yinb, Ji. Zhangc and Y. J. Tao, “Structure of the hepatitis E virus-like particle suggests mechanisms for virus assembly and receptor binding,” PNAS Early Edition, www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.0904848106 CHESS 2009_1

2. Structure of hepatitis E virus-like particle suggests mechanismsSol M. Gruner, Cornell University, DMR 0225180 Broad Impacts: Although Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for up to 50% of often fatal cases in large parts of the developing world, little is known about its molecular biology or its mode of replication. This new work provides a detailed model of the crystal structure and an important framework to model the molecular biology and mechanisms for capsid assembly, cell receptor binding, and possible antibody neutralization targets. These insights should help researchers develop applications such as vaccines and antiviral medications. The structure of a single HEV capsid protein molecule with the N terminus in blue and the C terminus in red. (reference figure 2). T. S. Y. Guua, Z. Liub, Q. Yea, D. A. Mataa, K. Lic, C. Yinb, Ji. Zhangc and Y. J. Tao, “Structure of the hepatitis E virus-like particle suggests mechanisms for virus assembly and receptor binding,” PNAS Early Edition, www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.0904848106 CHESS 2009_2