Download MendeleyAn evolutionarily unique viral RdRP suggests a common dual-function feature of the priming element.
Jia, H., Liu, S., Rao, G., Liu, Q., Wu, J., Cao, S., Gong, P.(2025) Sci Adv 11: eadv9640-eadv9640
- PubMed: 40249801
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adv9640
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9JKC, 9JKD - PubMed Abstract:
Many RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) encoded by RNA viruses use de novo initiation strategy to start RNA synthesis, and they usually contain a priming element (PE) to interact with template RNA and priming nucleoside triphosphate to facilitate initiation. Upon transition to elongation in dengue virus 2 (DENV2) RdRP, PE refolds and contributes to elongation complex stability by interacting with the upstream RNA duplex. However, whether this PE dual-function feature commonly exists in viral RdRPs remains elusive, as PE is highly diverse among the entire RNA virus group. Here, a more complexed PE refolding is observed in RdRP crystal structures of Aspergillus fumigatus polymycovirus-1 (AfuPmV-1), a polymycovirus evolutionarily connecting positive-strand and double-stranded RNA viruses. Although structural details and enzymology features are very different in transition from initiation to elongation in DENV2 and AfuPmV-1 RdRPs, what is in common is the PE dual-function feature that demonstrates functional conservation beyond sequence and structure.
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 262 Jin Long Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430207, China.
Organizational Affiliation:
