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Publication Abstract from PubMed

A conserved feature of poxviruses is a protein, well characterized as E3L in vaccinia virus, that confers IFN resistance on the virus. This protein comprises two domains, an N-terminal Z-DNA-binding protein domain (Zalpha) and a C-terminal double-stranded RNA-binding domain. Both are required for pathogenicity of vaccinia virus in mice infected by intracranial injection. Here, we describe the crystal structure of the Zalpha domain from the E3L-like protein of Yaba-like disease virus, a Yatapoxvirus, in a complex with Z-DNA, solved at a 2.0-A resolution. The DNA contacting surface of Yaba-like disease virus Zalpha(E3L) closely resembles that of other structurally defined members of the Zalpha family, although some variability exists in the beta-hairpin region. In contrast to the Z-DNA-contacting surface, the nonbinding surface of members of the Zalpha family are unrelated; this surface may effect protein-specific interactions. The presence of the conserved and tailored Z-DNA-binding surface, which interacts specifically with the zigzag backbone and syn base diagnostic of the Z-form, reinforces the importance to poxvirus infection of the ability of this protein to recognize the Z-conformation.

A poxvirus protein forms a complex with left-handed Z-DNA: crystal structure of a Yatapoxvirus Zalpha bound to DNA.,Ha SC, Lokanath NK, Van Quyen D, Wu CA, Lowenhaupt K, Rich A, Kim YG, Kim KK Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Oct 5;101(40):14367-72. Epub 2004 Sep 24. PMID:15448208^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.