RESUMEN
This review describes available data on the structure of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRP) obtained from X-ray analysis and discusses the functional significance of the structural elements of these enzymes. Because most of the studies done to date relate to RdRP structures of picorna-, flavi-, and caliciviruses, here we consider mostly the structures of RdRP of these groups of viruses, and also include information about polymerases of other virus families.
Asunto(s)
ARN Polimerasa Dependiente del ARN/química , Proteínas Virales/química , Virus/enzimología , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Humanos , ARN Polimerasa Dependiente del ARN/genética , ARN Polimerasa Dependiente del ARN/metabolismo , Proteínas Virales/genética , Proteínas Virales/metabolismo , Virus/química , Virus/genéticaRESUMEN
The activities of wild-type mengovirus RNA polymerase (RdRP) and of its three mutants with C-terminal tryptophan residue replaced by residues of alanine (W460A), phenylalanine (W460F), or tyrosine (W460Y) were studied. The proteins were expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography with the IMPACT system. The isolated recombinant proteins were studied using a cell-free replication system on elongation of oligo(U) primer on RNA template corresponding to the 3'-terminal 366-meric fragment of the mengovirus RNA. The activities of the mutant polymerases were comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme.
Asunto(s)
Mengovirus/enzimología , Proteínas Mutantes/metabolismo , Mutación , ARN Polimerasa Dependiente del ARN/genética , ARN Polimerasa Dependiente del ARN/metabolismo , Proteínas Mutantes/genética , Proteínas Mutantes/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Polimerasa Dependiente del ARN/aislamiento & purificación , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/aislamiento & purificación , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismoRESUMEN
Covalent complexes of nucleic acids and proteins are widespread among viruses. Covalent complexes of RNA and proteins are proposed to exist in eukaryotic cells. The goal of this work was to obtain specific antibodies to the covalent linkage unit (CLU) between virus RNA and protein to search cellular RNA-protein complexes. Antibodies were generated by direct immunization of a rabbit with the BSA-coupled EMC virus RNA-VPg complex. By a dot-blot immunoassay and immunofluorescent microscopy it was found that the antibodies specifically recognize both EMC virus RNA-VPg and synthetic CLU-containing compounds. Thus, a fraction of the antibodies was directed to CLU.
