Fig. 5: Associations between minor capsid proteins P2, P6, P8, vesicle-associated proteins and pseudo-hexameric capsomers, and between neighboring capsomers in the pentasymmetron of the unique vertex.

a A slab view of the cryo-EM density around the type II pentameric capsomer in the unique vertex. The ~4-nm-thick lipid bilayer of the vesicle (dark gray) is associated with the capsid via the vesicle-associated proteins (golden). b The cryo-EM density around the vesicle region viewed from inside the viral capsid. The two transmembrane helix clusters formed by the vesicle-associated proteins are highlighted using dashed ovals. c Zoomed-in view of the boxed region in a, showing the structures of vesicle-associated proteins within one fivefold asymmetric unit. d Zoomed-in view of the boxed region in b. The pseudo-hexameric capsomers are labeled as in Fig. 1b. e Superposition of the structures of minor capsid protein P9 in the unique vertex and a common vertex. f Structures of P2, P6 and P8, and their neighboring capsomers. The minor capsid proteins and capsomers are shown as ribbon diagrams and surfaces, respectively. g Zoomed-in view of the boxed region in f, showing the contacts between the β-hairpin of MCPv2 and capsomers b and c. h Superposition of P6 in the unique vertex and a common vertex. The dashed curved arrow indicates the conformational rearrangement of the N-terminal arms of P6. All the pseudo-hexameric capsomers are labeled as in Fig. 1b.