Cloning, expression, purification, and structural modeling of the Chandipura virus matrix protein

The Chandipura virus matrix protein plays a crucial role in virus assembly, budding, and the cytopathic effects observed in infected cells by interacting with several host proteins. The protocol presented here outlines the expression and purification of full-length Chandipura virus matrix protein and two N-terminally truncated constructs produced in Escherichia coli. This protocol results in high yields of monomeric matrix protein, which is suitable for structural studies. Additionally, GFP-fused Chandipura virus matrix protein constructs can be expressed in mammalian cells for examination of intracellular localization. The Chandipura virus matrix protein model, generated using AlphaFold, features an intrinsically disordered N terminus and a structured C-terminal core, similar to other Vesiculovirus matrix proteins.