Oligomeric structures of poliovirus polymerase are important for function

AUTOR(ES)

Hobson, Scott D.

FONTE

Oxford University Press

RESUMO

Central to the replication of poliovirus and other positive-strand RNA viruses is the virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Previous biochemical studies have suggested that direct polymerase– polymerase interactions might be important for polymerase function, and the structure of poliovirus polymerase has revealed two regions of extensive polymerase–polymerase interaction. To explore potential functional roles for the structurally observed polymerase–polymerase interactions, we have performed RNA binding and extension studies of mutant polymerase proteins in solution, disulfide cross-linking studies, mutational analyses in cells, in vitro activity analyses and RNA substrate modeling studies. The results of these studies indicate that both regions of polymerase–polymerase interaction observed in the crystals are indeed functionally important and, furthermore, reveal specific functional roles for each. One of the two regions of interaction provides for efficient substrate RNA binding and the second is crucial for forming catalytic sites. These studies strongly support the hypothesis that the polymerase– polymerase interactions discovered in the crystal structure provide an exquisitely detailed structural context for poliovirus polymerase function and for poliovirus RNA replication in cells.

Documentos Relacionados

• Poliovirus 2C Protein Forms Homo-oligomeric Structures Required for ATPase Activity*
• trans rescue of a mutant poliovirus RNA polymerase function.
• The Function of DNA Polymerase α at Telomeric G Tails Is Important for Telomere Homeostasis
• Polymerase structures and function: variations on a theme?
• Intermolecular interactions between dimeric calcium-sensing receptor monomers are important for its normal function