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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Rotavirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase VP1 catalyzes RNA synthesis within a subviral particle. This activity depends on core shell protein VP2. A conserved sequence at the 3' end of plus-strand RNA templates is important for polymerase association and genome replication. We have determined the structure of VP1 at 2.9 A resolution, as apoenzyme and in complex with RNA. The cage-like enzyme is similar to reovirus lambda3, with four tunnels leading to or from a central, catalytic cavity. A distinguishing characteristic of VP1 is specific recognition, by conserved features of the template-entry channel, of four bases, UGUG, in the conserved 3' sequence. Well-defined interactions with these bases position the RNA so that its 3' end overshoots the initiating register, producing a stable but catalytically inactive complex. We propose that specific 3' end recognition selects rotavirus RNA for packaging and that VP2 activates the autoinhibited VP1/RNA complex to coordinate packaging and genome replication.

Mechanism for coordinated RNA packaging and genome replication by rotavirus polymerase VP1.,Lu X, McDonald SM, Tortorici MA, Tao YJ, Vasquez-Del Carpio R, Nibert ML, Patton JT, Harrison SC Structure. 2008 Nov 12;16(11):1678-88. PMID:19000820^[1]

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