INVESTIGADORES
GAMARNIK Andrea Vanesa
artículos
Título:
F1 Motif of Dengue Virus Polymerase NS5 Is Involved in Promoter-Dependent RNA Synthesis
Autor/es:
IGLESIAS G.; FILOMATORI C.; GAMARNIK A.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
Editorial:
AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY
Referencias:
Lugar: Washington; Año: 2011 p. 5745 - 5756
ISSN:
0022-538X
Resumen:
The mechanism by which viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp)
specifically amplify viral genomes is still unclear. In the case of
flaviviruses, a model has been proposed that involves the recognition of an RNA
element present at the viral 5
untranslated region (named SLA) that serves as promoter for NS5 polymerase
binding and activity. Here, we investigated requirements for specific
promoter-dependent RNA synthesis of the dengue virus NS5 protein. Using mutated
purified NS5 recombinant proteins and infectious viral RNAs, we analyzed the
requirement of specific amino acids of the RdRp domain on polymerase activity
and viral replication. A battery of 19 mutants were designed and analyzed. By
measuring polymerase activity using non-specific poly(rC) templates or specific
viral RNA molecules, we identified four mutants with impaired polymerase
activity. Viral full-length RNAs carrying these mutations were found to be
unable to replicate in cell culture. Interestingly, we found a protein,
carrying the mutation K456A and K457A located in the F1 motif, that lacked RNA
synthesis dependent on the SLA promoter, while
displayed high activity using a poly(rC) template. Promoter RNA binding of this
NS5 mutant was unaffected, while de novo RNA synthesis was abolished. Furthermore,
the mutant maintained RNA elongation activity, indicating a role of the F1
region in promoter-dependent initiation. In addition, four NS5 mutants were
selected to have polymerase activity in the recombinant protein but delayed or
impaired replication in transfected cells, suggesting a role of these amino
acids in other functions of NS5. This work provides new molecular insights on
the specific RNA synthesis activity of the dengue virus NS5 polymerase.